Noiseless photonic non-reciprocity via optically-induced magnetization

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a noiseless, highly isolating, magnetic-free optical non-reciprocity method using optically induced magnetization in atomic ensembles, advancing quantum photonic device development.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach for magnetic-free optical non-reciprocity via optically induced magnetization, with verified noiseless operation and high isolation.

Findings

Achieved an isolation ratio of 51.4 dB.

Operated over a 7-order magnitude power range.

Verified noiseless quantum properties through statistics measurement.

Abstract

The realization of optical non-reciprocity is crucial for many device applications, and also of fundamental importance for manipulating and protecting the photons with desired time-reversal symmetry. Recently, various new mechanisms of magnetic-free non-reciprocity have been proposed and implemented, avoiding the limitation of the strong magnetic field imposed by the Faraday effect. However, due to the difficulties in suppressing the drive and its induced noises, these devices exhibit limited isolation performances and leave the quantum noise properties rarely studied. Here, we demonstrate a new approach of magnetic-free non-reciprocity by optically induced magnetization in an atom ensemble. Excellent isolation of signal (highest isolation ratio is 51.4 dB) is observed over a power dynamic range of 7 orders of magnitude, with the noiseless property verified by quantum statistics measurement. The approach is applicable to other atoms and atom-like emitters in solids, paving the way for future studies of integrated photonic non-reciprocal devices, unidirectional quantum storage and state transfer, as well as topological photonics technologies.