Hideo Mabuchi

Quantum state transfer and entanglement distribution among distant nodes in a quantum network

We propose a scheme to utilize photons for ideal quantum transmission between atoms located at spatially separated nodes of a quantum network. The transmission protocol employs special laser pulses that excite an atom inside an optical cavity at the sending node so that its state is mapped into a time-symmetric photon wave packet that will enter a cavity at the receiving node and be absorbed by an atom there with unit probability. Implementation of our scheme would enable reliable transfer or sharing of entanglement among spatially distant atoms.

High-Q measurements of fused-silica microspheres in the near infrared

Measurements of the quality factor Q approximately 8x10(9) are reported for the whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) of quartz microspheres for the wavelengths 670, 780, and 850 nm; these results correspond to finesse f approximately 2.2x10(6) . The observed independence of Q from wavelength indicates that losses for the WGMs are dominated by a mechanism other than bulk absorption in fused silica in the near infrared. Data obtained by atomic force microscopy combined with a simple model for surface scattering suggest that Q can be limited by residual surface inhomogeneities. Absorption by absorbed water can also explain why the material limit is not reached at longer wavelengths in the near infrared.

Design of Photonic Crystal Microcavities for Cavity QED

We discuss the optimization of optical microcavity designs based on two-dimensional photonic crystals for the purpose of strong coupling between the cavity field and a single neutral atom trapped within a hole. We present numerical predictions for the quality factors and mode volumes of localized defect modes as a function of geometric parameters, and discuss some experimental challenges related to the coupling of a defect cavity to gas-phase atoms.

Feedback control of quantum state reduction

Feedback control of quantum mechanical systems must take into account the probabilistic nature of quantum measurement. We formulate quantum feedback control as a problem of stochastic nonlinear control by considering separately a quantum filtering problem and a state feedback control problem for the filter. We explore the use of stochastic Lyapunov techniques for the design of feedback controllers for quantum spin systems and demonstrate the possibility of stabilizing one outcome of a quantum measurement with unit probability.

Optimization of the Q factor in photonic crystal microcavities

We express the quality factor of a mode in terms of the Fourier transforms of its field components and prove that the reduction in radiation loss can be achieved by suppressing the modes wavevector components within the light cone. Although this is intuitively clear, our analytical proof gives us insight into how to achieve the Q factor optimization, without the mode delocalization. We focus on the dipole defect mode in free-standing membranes and achieve Q > 10/sup 4/, while preserving the mode volume of the order of one half of the cubic wavelength of light in the material. The derived expressions and conclusions can be used in the optimization of the Q factor for any type of defect in planar photonic crystals.

Quantum feedback control and classical control theory

We introduce and discuss the problem of quantum feedback control in the context of established formulations of classical control theory, examining conceptual analogies and essential differences. We describe the application of state-observer-based control laws, familiar in classical control theory, to quantum systems and apply our methods to the particular case of switching the state of a particle in a double-well potential.

Coherent-feedback quantum control with a dynamic compensator

I present an experimental realization of a coherent-feedback control system that was recently proposed for testing basic principles of linear quantum stochastic control theory [M. R. James, H. I. Nurdin and I. R. Petersen, to appear in IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control (2008), arXiv:quant-ph/0703150v2]. For a dynamical plant consisting of an optical ring-resonator, I demonstrate ~ 7 dB broadband disturbance rejection of injected laser signals via all-optical feedback with a tailored dynamic compensator. Comparison of the results with a transfer function model pinpoints critical parameters that determine the coherent-feedback control systems performance.

Adaptive homodyne measurement of optical phase

We present an experimental demonstration of the power of feedback in quantum metrology, confirming the predicted [H. M. Wiseman, Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 4587 (1995)]] superior performance of an adaptive homodyne technique for single-shot measurement of optical phase. For measurements performed on weak coherent states with no prior knowledge of the signal phase, adaptive homodyne estimation approaches closer to the intrinsic quantum uncertainty than any previous technique. Our results underscore the importance of real-time feedback for reaching quantum limits in measurement and control.

Real-time detection of individual atoms falling through a high-finesse optical cavity

The enhanced coupling between atoms and photons inside a high-finesse optical cavity provides a novel basis for optical measurements that continuously monitor atomic degrees of freedom. We describe an experiment in which cavity quantum-electrodynamic effects are utilized for real-time detection of individual atoms falling through an optical cavity after being dropped from a magneto-optical trap. Our technique permits experiments that are triggered by the presence of a single optimally coupled atom within the cavity mode volume.

Integration of fiber-coupled high-Q SiNx microdisks with atom chips

Micron scale silicon nitride (SiNx) microdisk optical resonators are demonstrated with Q=3.6×10^6 and an effective mode volume of 15(lambda/n)^3 at near-visible wavelengths. A hydrofluoric acid wet etch provides sensitive tuning of the microdisk resonances, and robust mounting of a fiber taper provides efficient fiber optic coupling to the microdisks while allowing unfettered optical access for laser cooling and trapping of atoms. Measurements indicate that cesium adsorption on the SiNx surfaces significantly red detunes the microdisk resonances. Parallel integration of multiple (10) microdisks with a single fiber taper is also demonstrated.