Switching a monolayer atomic mirror using a single Rydberg atom

ORAL

Abstract

Understanding and tuning light-matter interactions is essential for numerous applications in quantum science. Cooperative response between light-coupled atoms has recently led to the realization of a sub-radiant mirror formed by an atomic monolayer with strong light-matter coupling even down to the level of single photons[1]. Here, we control the optical response of such an atomic mirror using a single ancilla atom excited to a Rydberg state. The switching behavior is controlled by admixing Rydberg character to the atomic mirror and exploiting strong dipolar Rydberg interactions with the ancilla. Driving Rabi oscillations on the ancilla atom, we demonstrate coherent control the degree of transmission and reflection. Finally, increasing the mirror size directly reveals the spatial area around the ancilla atom where the switching is effective. Our results pave the way towards novel quantum metasurfaces and the creation of controlled atom-photon entanglement.

[1] J. Rui et. al, Nature 583, 369–374 (2020).

*Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST), 80799 Munich, GermanyGiant interactions in Rydberg Systems (GiRyd), Priority Programe 1929

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Presenters

  • Kritsana Srakaew

    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, 85748 Garching, Germany

Authors

  • Kritsana Srakaew

    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, 85748 Garching, Germany

  • Pascal Weckesser

    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, 85748 Garching, Germany
    • Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, 85748 Garching, Germany and Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg, Physikalisches Institut, 79104 Freiburg, Germany

  • David Wei

    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, 85748 Garching, Germany

  • Daniel Adler

    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, 85748 Garching, Germany

  • Simon Hollerith

    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, 85748 Garching, Germany

  • Immanuel Bloch

    • Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics
    • Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU-Munich), Max-Planck Institut für Quantenoptik (MPQ), Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST)
    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, 85748 Garching, Germany and Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, 80799 Munich, Germany

  • Johannes Zeiher

    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
    • Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, 85748 Garching, Germany