Nonlinear potential of quantum oscillator induced by single photons

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to induce arbitrary nonlinear potentials in a quantum oscillator using single photons and conditional operations, advancing control over quantum systems.

Contribution

It introduces a sequential conditional $X$-gate approach to realize arbitrary nonlinear potentials on a quantum oscillator via single-photon interactions.

Findings

Demonstrates a feasible method for nonlinear potential induction

Uses single-photon coupling and homodyne detection

Enables advanced quantum control and manipulation

Abstract

Experimental investigation of the nonlinear dynamics of a quantum oscillator is a long standing goal of quantum physics. We propose a conditional method for inducing an arbitrary nonlinear potential on a quantum oscillator weakly interacting with light. Such an arbitrary nonlinear potential can be implemented by sequential repetition of an elementary conditional $X$-gate. To implement the $X$-gate, a single photon is linearly coupled to the oscillator and is subsequently detected by optical homodyne detection.