Scott Parkins

Unconditional preparation of entanglement between atoms in cascaded optical cavities.

We propose a scheme to unconditionally entangle the internal states of atoms trapped in separate high-finesse optical cavities. The scheme uses the technique of quantum reservoir engineering in a cascaded cavity-QED setting, and for ideal (lossless) coupling between the cavities generates an entangled pure state. Highly entangled states are also shown to be possible for realizable cavity-QED parameters and with nonideal coupling.

Realization of the Dicke Model Using Cavity-Assisted Raman Transitions

We realize an open version of the Dicke model by coupling two hyperfine ground states using two cavity-assisted Raman transitions. The interaction due to only one of the couplings is described by the Tavis-Cummings model and we observe a normal mode splitting in the transmission around the dispersively shifted cavity. With both couplings present the dynamics are described by the Dicke model and we measure the onset of superradiant scattering into the cavity above a critical coupling strength.

Cavity-QED simulation of qubit-oscillator dynamics in the ultrastrong-coupling regime

We propose a quantum simulation of a two-level atom coupled to a single mode of the electromagnetic field in the ultrastrong-coupling regime based upon resonant Raman transitions in an atom interacting with a high finesse optical cavity mode. We show by numerical simulation the possibility of realizing the scheme with a single rubidium atom, in which two hyperfine ground states make up the effective two-level system, and for cavity QED parameters that should be achievable with, for example, microtoroidal whispering-gallery-mode resonators. Our system also enables simulation of a generalized model in which a nonlinear coupling between the atomic inversion and the cavity photon number occurs on an equal footing with the (ultrastrong) dipole coupling and can give rise to critical-type behavior even at the single-atom level. Our model takes account of dissipation, and we pay particular attention to observables that would be readily observable in the output from the system.

Observation of robust quantum resonance peaks in an atom optics kicked rotor with amplitude noise.

The effect of pulse train noise on the quantum resonance peaks of the atom optics kicked rotor is investigated experimentally. Quantum resonance peaks in the late time mean energy of the atoms are found to be surprisingly robust against all levels of noise applied to the kicking amplitude, while even small levels of noise on the kicking period lead to their destruction. The robustness to amplitude noise of the resonance peak and of the fall-off in mean energy to either side of this peak are explained in terms of the occurrence of stable, epsilon classical dynamics [Nonlinearity 16, 1381 (2003)]] around each quantum resonance.

Open Rabi model with ultrastrong coupling plus large dispersive-type nonlinearity: Nonclassical light via a tailored degeneracy

We consider a generalized version of the Rabi model that includes a nonlinear, dispersive-type atom-field interaction in addition to the usual linear dipole coupling, as well as cavity dissipation. An effective system of this sort arises, for example, in a quantum simulation of the Rabi model based upon Raman transitions in an optical cavity QED setting [A. L. Grimsmo and S. Parkins, Phys. Rev. A 87, 033814 (2013)]. For a suitable choice of the nonlinear interaction strength, near degeneracies of the states in the cavity-mode vacuum and single-photon subspaces, in combination with cavity loss, gives rise to an essentially closed cycle of excitations and photon emissions within these subspaces. Consequently, the cavity output field is strongly antibunched. We develop a quantum-trajectory-based description of the system that models its key properties very well, and use a simple dressed-state picture to explain the novel structure of the cavity fluorescence spectrum. We also present numerical results for a potential realization of the system using a rubidium atom coupled strongly to a high-finesse optical cavity mode.

Microtoroidal cavity QED with fiber overcoupling and strong atom-field coupling: A single-atom quantum switch for coherent light fields

We propose a scheme for single-atom, quantum control of the direction of propagation of a coherent field incident, via a tapered fiber, upon a microtoroidal whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) resonator. The scheme involves overcoupling of the fiber-taper to the resonator and strong coupling of an atom to the evanescent field of the WGM, i.e., an atom-field coupling that exceeds the total WGM linewidth. In contrast to previous, related schemes that operate in the bad-cavity regime, the proposed scheme can operate effectively with much stronger incident fields, while also preserving their coherent nature. It can also serve to prepare an entangled state of the atom and coherent optical pulses propagating in opposite directions along the fiber. We evaluate the fidelity of preparation of such a state taking into account absorption and atomic spontaneous emission and demonstrate that high fidelities should be possible with realistic parameters.

Scaling law and stability for a noisy quantum system.

We show that a scaling law exists for the near-resonant dynamics of cold kicked atoms in the presence of a randomly fluctuating pulse amplitude. Analysis of a quasiclassical phase-space representation of the quantum system with noise allows a new scaling law to be deduced. The scaling law and associated stability are confirmed by comparison with quantum simulations and experimental data.

Enhanced optical squeezing from a degenerate parametric amplifier via time-delayed coherent feedback

A particularly simple setup is introduced to study the influence of time-delayed coherent feedback on the optical squeezing properties of the degenerate parametric amplifier (DPA). The possibility for significantly enhanced squeezing is demonstrated both on resonance and in sidebands, at a reduced pump power compared to the case without feedback. We study a broad range of operating parameters and their influence on the characteristic squeezing of the system. A classical analysis of the system dynamics reveals the connection between the feedback-modified landscape of stability and enhanced squeezing.

Dynamics of genuine multipartite correlations in open quantum systems

We propose a measure for genuine multipartite correlations suited for the study of dynamics in open quantum systems. This measure is contextual in the sense that it depends on how information is read from the environment. It is used to study an interacting collective system of atoms undergoing phase transitions as external parameters are varied. We show that the steady state of the system can have a significant degree of genuine multipartite quantum and classical correlations and that the proposed measure can serve as a witness of critical behavior in quantum systems.

Quantum optics: Single-atom transistor for light

A subtle quantum-interference effect has been used to control the optical response of a single atom confined in a cavity. It could offer a means to develop logic gates for an optical quantum computer. Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is a quantum interference phenomenon that enables the transmission of a laser pulse through an optically dense medium to be manipulated by means of a control beam. Mucke et al. have scaled the technique down to just a single atom interacting with single photons, able to act as a quantum-optical transistor with the ability to coherently control the transmission of light through a cavity. This may lead to novel quantum applications, such as dynamic control of the photon statistics of propagating light fields in computers and other devices.