Full-quantum light diode

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum light diode using a pair of two-level systems in a waveguide, achieving about 60% efficiency, and highlights differences from semi-classical models affecting transport efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a full-quantum mechanical model for unidirectional light transport, revealing reduced nonlinearity and efficiency compared to semi-classical approaches.

Findings

Quantum model shows reduced nonlinearity.

Achieves approximately 60% unidirectional transport efficiency.

Potential applications in quantum computation with classical and quantum light.

Abstract

Unidirectional light transport in one-dimensional nanomaterials at the quantum level is a crucial goal to achieve for upcoming computational devices. We here employ a full-quantum mechanical approach based on master equation to describe unidirectional light transport through a pair of two-level systems coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide. By comparing with published semi-classical results, we find that the nonlinearity of the system is reduced, thereby reducing also the unidirectional light transport efficiency. Albeit not fully efficient, we find that the considered quantum system can work as a light diode with an efficiency of approximately 60%. Our results may be used in quantum computation with classical and quantized light.