Photon control and coherent interactions via lattice dark states in atomic arrays

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how lattice dark states in atomic arrays can be individually controlled to store, retrieve, and manipulate photons, enabling advanced quantum information processing functionalities.

Contribution

It introduces a method to address and manipulate lattice dark states via spatial detuning modulation, advancing quantum memory and photon shaping capabilities.

Findings

Lattice dark states can be used for near-perfect photon storage and retrieval.

Spatial detuning modulation enables control over photon properties.

Engineered interactions between dark states facilitate complex quantum operations.

Abstract

Ordered atomic arrays with subwavelength spacing have emerged as an efficient and versatile light-matter interface, where emitters respond collectively and form subradiant lattice modes with supressed decay rate. Here, we demonstrate that such lattice dark states can be individually addressed and manipulated by applying a spatial modulation of the atomic detuning. More specifically, we show that lattice dark states can be used to store and retrieve single photons with near-unit efficiency, as well as to control the temporal, frequency and spatial degrees of freedom of the emitted electromagnetic field. Additionally, we discuss how to engineer arbitrary coherent interactions between multiple dark states. These results pave the way towards building a quantum platform that can equally act as a quantum memory and a photon shaper capable of producing states of light relevant in quantum information protocols.