Tobias Tiecke

Nanophotonic quantum phase switch with a single atom

By analogy to transistors in classical electronic circuits, quantum optical switches are important elements of quantum circuits and quantum networks. Operated at the fundamental limit where a single quantum of light or matter controls another field or material system, such a switch may enable applications such as long-distance quantum communication, distributed quantum information processing and metrology, and the exploration of novel quantum states of matter. Here, by strongly coupling a photon to a single atom trapped in the near field of a nanoscale photonic crystal cavity, we realize a system in which a single atom switches the phase of a photon and a single photon modifies the atom’s phase. We experimentally demonstrate an atom-induced optical phase shift that is nonlinear at the two-photon level, a photon number router that separates individual photons and photon pairs into different output modes, and a single-photon switch in which a single ‘gate’ photon controls the propagation of a subsequent probe field. These techniques pave the way to integrated quantum nanophotonic networks involving multiple atomic nodes connected by guided light.

Coupling a Single Trapped Atom to a Nanoscale Optical Cavity

Trapped and Coupled Trapped single atoms are ideal for storing and manipulating quantum information. Thompson et al. (p. 1202, published online 25 April; see the Perspective by Keller) were able to control single atoms interacting coherently with a field mode of a photonic crystal cavity. An optical tweezer was used to trap the single atom, which enabled positioning of the atom in close proximity to the photonic crystal waveguide, coupling the atom to the optical mode of the cavity. Such coupling should prove useful in quantum measurement, sensing, and information processing. A single rubidium atom is positioned in close proximity to an optical cavity so they can interact. [Also see Perspective by Keller] Hybrid quantum devices, in which dissimilar quantum systems are combined in order to attain qualities not available with either system alone, may enable far-reaching control in quantum measurement, sensing, and information processing. A paradigmatic example is trapped ultracold atoms, which offer excellent quantum coherent properties, coupled to nanoscale solid-state systems, which allow for strong interactions. We demonstrate a deterministic interface between a single trapped rubidium atom and a nanoscale photonic crystal cavity. Precise control over the atoms position allows us to probe the cavity near-field with a resolution below the diffraction limit and to observe large atom-photon coupling. This approach may enable the realization of integrated, strongly coupled quantum nano-optical circuits.

Nanoplasmonic Lattices for Ultracold Atoms

We propose to use subwavelength confinement of light associated with the near field of plasmonic systems to create nanoscale optical lattices for ultracold atoms. Our approach combines the unique coherence properties of isolated atoms with the subwavelength manipulation and strong light-matter interaction associated with nanoplasmonic systems. It allows one to considerably increase the energy scales in the realization of Hubbard models and to engineer effective long-range interactions in coherent and dissipative many-body dynamics. Realistic imperfections and potential applications are discussed.

Coherence and Raman Sideband Cooling of a Single Atom in an Optical Tweezer

We investigate quantum control of a single atom in a tightly focused optical tweezer trap. We show that inevitable spatially varying polarization gives rise to significant internal-state decoherence but that this effect can be mitigated by an appropriately chosen magnetic bias field. This enables Raman sideband cooling of a single atom close to its three-dimensional ground state (vibrational quantum numbers n(x)=n(y)=0.01, n(z)=8) even for a trap beam waist as small as w=900  nm. The small atomic wave packet with δx=δy=24  nm and δz=270  nm represents a promising starting point for future hybrid quantum systems where atoms are placed in close proximity to surfaces.

Efficient fiber-optical interface for nanophotonic devices

We demonstrate a method for efficient coupling of guided light from a single-mode optical fiber to nanophotonic devices. Our approach makes use of single-sided conical tapered optical fibers that are evanescently coupled over the last ∼10  μm to a nanophotonic waveguide. By means of adiabatic mode transfer using a properly chosen taper, single-mode fiber-waveguide coupling efficiencies as high as 97(1)% are achieved. Efficient coupling is obtained for a wide range of device geometries, which are either singly clamped on a chip or attached to the fiber, demonstrating a promising approach for integrated nanophotonic circuits, and quantum optical and nanoscale sensing applications.

Nonlinear optics and quantum networks based on single atoms coupled to a photonic crystal cavity

We present an experimental demonstration of an optical switch operating in the quantum regime, consisting of a single trapped atom near a nanoscale photonic crystal cavity.