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Nonlinear photon-atom coupling with 4Pi microscopy

Author

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  • Yue-Sum Chin

    (Centre for Quantum Technologies)

  • Matthias Steiner

    (Centre for Quantum Technologies
    National University of Singapore)

  • Christian Kurtsiefer

    (Centre for Quantum Technologies
    National University of Singapore)

Abstract

Implementing nonlinear interactions between single photons and single atoms is at the forefront of optical physics. Motivated by the prospects of deterministic all-optical quantum logic, many efforts are currently underway to find suitable experimental techniques. Focusing the incident photons onto the atom with a lens yielded promising results, but is limited by diffraction to moderate interaction strengths. However, techniques to exceed the diffraction limit are known from high-resolution imaging. Here we adapt a super-resolution imaging technique, 4Pi microscopy, to efficiently couple light to a single atom. We observe 36.6(3)% extinction of the incident field, and a modified photon statistics of the transmitted field–indicating nonlinear interaction at the single-photon level. Our results pave the way to few-photon nonlinear optics with individual atoms in free space.

Suggested Citation

  • Yue-Sum Chin & Matthias Steiner & Christian Kurtsiefer, 2017. "Nonlinear photon-atom coupling with 4Pi microscopy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-5, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-01495-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01495-3
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