Low-loss nonlinear polaritonics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for achieving low-loss, large cross-phase modulation between coupled surface polaritons using a double electromagnetically-induced transparency medium near a negative-index metamaterial, enabling a mutual π phase shift at the single photon level.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach combining surface polaritons and EIT to realize low-loss, large nonlinear phase shifts at the quantum level near metamaterials.

Findings

Mutual π phase shift achievable at single photon level.

Significant reduction in loss for polariton-based nonlinear interactions.

Potential for quantum information processing applications.

Abstract

We propose large low-loss cross-phase modulation between two coupled surface polaritons propagating through a double electromagnetically-induced transparency medium situated close to a negative-index metamaterial. In particular a mutual $\pi$ phase shift is attainable between the two pulses at the single photon level.