Cooperative Optical Non-Linearity in a Blockaded Rydberg Ensemble
Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Chaotic Behavior, Optics
| Author: | Jonathan D. Pritchard | ISBN: | 9783642297120 |
| Publisher: | Springer Berlin Heidelberg | Publication: | May 15, 2012 |
| Imprint: | Springer | Language: | English |
| Author: | Jonathan D. Pritchard |
| ISBN: | 9783642297120 |
| Publisher: | Springer Berlin Heidelberg |
| Publication: | May 15, 2012 |
| Imprint: | Springer |
| Language: | English |
This thesis describes the first demonstration of a cooperative optical non-linearity based on Rydberg excitation. Whereas in conventional non-linear optics the non-linearity arises directly from the interaction between light and matter, in a cooperative process it is mediated by dipole-dipole interactions between light-induced excitations. For excitation to high Rydberg states where the electron is only weakly bound, the dipole-dipole interactions are extremely large and long range, enabling an enormous enhancement of the non-linear effect. Consequently, cooperative non-linear optics using Rydberg excitations opens a new era for quantum optics enabling large single photon non-linearity to be accessible in free space for the first time. The thesis describes the theoretical underpinnings of the non- linear effect, the pioneering experimental results and implications for experiments in the single photon regime.
This thesis describes the first demonstration of a cooperative optical non-linearity based on Rydberg excitation. Whereas in conventional non-linear optics the non-linearity arises directly from the interaction between light and matter, in a cooperative process it is mediated by dipole-dipole interactions between light-induced excitations. For excitation to high Rydberg states where the electron is only weakly bound, the dipole-dipole interactions are extremely large and long range, enabling an enormous enhancement of the non-linear effect. Consequently, cooperative non-linear optics using Rydberg excitations opens a new era for quantum optics enabling large single photon non-linearity to be accessible in free space for the first time. The thesis describes the theoretical underpinnings of the non- linear effect, the pioneering experimental results and implications for experiments in the single photon regime.
