Cooperative Optical Non-Linearity in a Blockaded Rydberg Ensemble

• Κύριος συγγραφέας: Pritchard, Jonathan D. (Συγγραφέας)
• Συγγραφή απο Οργανισμό/Αρχή: SpringerLink (Online service)
• Μορφή: Ηλεκτρονική πηγή Ηλ. βιβλίο
• Γλώσσα: English
• Έκδοση: Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin Heidelberg : Imprint: Springer, 2012.
• Σειρά: Springer Theses, Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research,
• Θέματα: Physics.; Quantum physics.; Quantum optics.; Optics.; Optoelectronics.; Plasmons (Physics).; Statistical physics.; Quantum Optics.; Nonlinear Dynamics.; Quantum Physics.; Optics, Optoelectronics, Plasmonics and Optical Devices.

 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. 

 Rydberg Atoms -- Rydberg Atom Interactions -- Atom-Light Interactions -- Cooperative Phenomena -- Experiment Setup -- Results -- Photon Blockade -- Progress Towards a Single Blockade Sphere.