Coherent Quantum Optical Control with Subwavelength Resolution

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel quantum optical control technique that achieves nanoscale spatial selectivity beyond the diffraction limit, enabling precise manipulation of quantum systems for advanced quantum information applications.

Contribution

A new method utilizing nonlinear atomic response under EIT conditions for far-field, subwavelength quantum control with potential for practical quantum information science.

Findings

Achieves spatial selectivity approaching a few nanometers.

Allows coherent manipulation of individual quantum systems.

Potential applications in quantum information processing.

Abstract

We suggest a new method for quantum optical control with nanoscale resolution. Our method allows for coherent far-field manipulation of individual quantum systems with spatial selectivity that is not limited by the wavelength of radiation and can, in principle, approach a few nanometers. The selectivity is enabled by the nonlinear atomic response, under the conditions of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency, to a control beam with intensity vanishing at a certain location. Practical performance of this technique and its potential applications to quantum information science with cold atoms, ions, and solid-state qubits are discussed.