Freiburg 2024 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 20: Quantum Many-Body Dynamics

Q 20.3: Talk

Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 11:30–11:45, HS 3118

Topological Quantum Optics in Atomic Emitter Arrays — •Jonathan Sturm and Adriana Pálffy — Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

Quantum emitter arrays are a powerful platform enabling tailored control of quantum optical phenomena, like super- and subradiance or efficient photon storage [1]. Since state-of-the-art experimental techniques allow the realization of almost arbitrary lattice structures, a natural question is what physical effects arise if the lattice has nontrivial topology.

Here, we study a one-dimensional chain of quantum emitters implementing the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. Going beyond previous studies [2], we show how the presence or absence of topologically protected edge states depends on the orientation of the transition dipole moment with respect to the chain axis. Moreover, we discuss how the deliberate breaking of inversion and sublattice symmetry gives rise to non-Hermitian topological states and the emergence of the non-Hermitian skin effect [3]. Our results demonstrate the potential of atomic emitter arrays as a platform for topological quantum optics.

[1] M. Reitz et al., PRX Quantum 3, 010201 (2022).

[2] B. X. Wang and C. Y. Zhao, Phys. Rev. A 98, 023808 (2018).

[3] E. J. Bergholtz et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 93, 015005 (2021).

Keywords: Quantum Optics; Topology; Non-Hermitian