Quantum nonlinear optics based on two-dimensional Rydberg atom arrays

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel quantum nonlinear optical platform using two-dimensional Rydberg atom arrays that enables high-fidelity photon interactions, coherent photon-photon gates, and efficient optical control, surpassing disordered systems.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach combining 2D atomic arrays and Rydberg interactions for enhanced photon-photon interactions and optical control.

Findings

Array acts as a perfect mirror for photons.

Photon blockade effect with improved scaling.

Semi-classical model captures many-body behavior.

Abstract

Here, we explore the combination of sub-wavelength, two-dimensional atomic arrays and Rydberg interactions as a powerful platform to realize strong, coherent interactions between individual photons with high fidelity. In particular, the spatial ordering of the atoms guarantees efficient atom-light interactions without the possibility of scattering light into unwanted directions, for example, allowing the array to act as a perfect mirror for individual photons. In turn, Rydberg interactions enable single photons to alter the optical response of the array within a potentially large blockade radius $R_b$, which can effectively punch a large "hole" for subsequent photons. We show that such a system enables a coherent photon-photon gate or switch, with an error scaling $\sim R_b^{-4}$ that is significantly better than the best known scaling in a disordered ensemble. We also investigate the optical properties of the system in the limit of strong input intensities. Although this a priori represents a complicated, many-body quantum driven dissipative system, we find that the behavior can be captured well by a semi-classical model based on holes punched in a classical mirror.