Single Photon Subradiance: Quantum control of spontaneous emission and ultrafast readout

TL;DR

This paper explores how collective effects in atomic ensembles can be used to control spontaneous emission, focusing on the creation and manipulation of subradiant states for stable and ultrafast quantum readout.

Contribution

It introduces methods to prepare and switch between subradiant and superradiant states, advancing quantum control of spontaneous emission.

Findings

Subradiant states can be stabilized against spontaneous emission.

Switching between subradiant and superradiant states enables ultrafast readout.

Collective atomic effects provide new control mechanisms for quantum emission.

Abstract

Recent work has shown that collective single photon emission from an ensemble of resonate two-level atoms, i.e. single photon superradiance, is a rich field of study. The present paper addresses the flip side of superradiance, i.e. subradiance. Single photon subradiant states are potentially stable against collective spontaneous emission and can have ultrafast readout. In particular it is shown how many atom collective effects provide a new way to control spontaneous emission by preparing and switching between subradiant and superradiant states.