Summary: A research team at TU Wien has proposed a new method for ensuring that a single photon emitted by one atom is reabsorbed and transferred to a second atom with pinpoint accuracy. By utilizing a specially designed lens based on the concept of a Maxwell fish-eye lens, the team demonstrated that the photon can be effectively passed between atoms, similar to a game of ping-pong. Unlike in free space where the random direction of emission makes it challenging for a distant atom to recapture the photon, the unique properties of the lens allow for precise transfer of the light particle. The lens’s spatially varying refractive index bends light rays, ensuring that they are reflected and ultimately arrive at the target atom along a curved path. The team’s theoretical work paves the way for practical tests using current technology and offers potential applications in quantum control systems to study strong light-matter interaction effects.
The Power of Focused Waves:
By positioning two atoms at the focal points of an elliptical version of the lens, the researchers managed to create an environment where the atoms could reliably exchange the photon. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the famous whispering galleries, where two people standing at the focal points of an elliptical room can hear each other’s whispers perfectly. When the sound waves bounce off the elliptical wall, they converge precisely at the person’s location, allowing for clear communication.
Innovative Lens Design:
The team’s approach involves leveraging the fish-eye lens concept developed by James Clerk Maxwell, the pioneer of classical electrodynamics. Unlike traditional lenses, a Maxwell fish-eye lens has a refractive index that varies in space. As the emitted rays from one atom travel along curved paths, they are reflected by the lens and directed towards the target atom on another curved path. This method offers increased efficiency compared to a simple ellipse, reducing the sensitivity to variations in atom positioning.
Future Prospects:
Although the theoretical work has been successfully demonstrated, practical tests using this method are within reach thanks to today’s technology. The researchers propose that expanding the system to include multiple groups of atoms could further enhance efficiency. This concept holds promise for advancing quantum control systems and investigating the profound effects of strong light-matter interactions. The team’s findings have been published in the journal Physical Review Letters, highlighting the potential impact of their work on the field of photon transfer and control.
The source of the article is from the blog motopaddock.nl