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Time-resolved scattering of a single photon by a single atom

Author

Listed:
  • Victor Leong

    (Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore
    Present address: Data Storage Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138634, Singapore)

  • Mathias Alexander Seidler

    (Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore)

  • Matthias Steiner

    (Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

  • Alessandro Cerè

    (Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore)

  • Christian Kurtsiefer

    (Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
    National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Scattering of light by matter has been studied extensively in the past. Yet, the most fundamental process, the scattering of a single photon by a single atom, is largely unexplored. One prominent prediction of quantum optics is the deterministic absorption of a travelling photon by a single atom, provided the photon waveform matches spatially and temporally the time-reversed version of a spontaneously emitted photon. Here we experimentally address this prediction and investigate the influence of the photon’s temporal profile on the scattering dynamics using a single trapped atom and heralded single photons. In a time-resolved measurement of atomic excitation we find a 56(11)% increase of the peak excitation by photons with an exponentially rising profile compared with a decaying one. However, the overall scattering probability remains unchanged within the experimental uncertainties. Our results demonstrate that envelope tailoring of single photons enables precise control of the photon–atom interaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Leong & Mathias Alexander Seidler & Matthias Steiner & Alessandro Cerè & Christian Kurtsiefer, 2016. "Time-resolved scattering of a single photon by a single atom," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-5, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13716
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13716
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