Topological phase transitions in superradiance lattices

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates topological phase transitions in a quantum optical system using a superradiance lattice in momentum space, enabling tunable topological properties and potential applications in quantum optics and photonic devices.

Contribution

It introduces a method to realize a Haldane model in a superradiance lattice with tunable topological phases in quantum optics.

Findings

Creation of a Haldane model with tunable topological properties

Observation of topological contrast in diffraction signals

Platform for simulating condensed matter phenomena in quantum optics

Abstract

Topological phases of matters are of fundamental interest and have promising applications. Fascinating topological properties of light have been unveiled in classical optical materials. However, the manifestation of topological physics in quantum optics has not been discovered. Here we study the topological phases in a two-dimensional momentum-space superradiance lattice composed of timed Dicke states (TDS) in electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). By periodically modulating the three EIT coupling fields, we can create a Haldane model with in-situ tunable topological properties, which manifest themselves in the contrast between diffraction signals emitted by superradiant TDS. The topological superradiance lattices provide a controllable platform for simulating exotic phenomena in condensed matter physics and offer a basis of topological quantum optics and novel photonic devices.