Generating optical nonlinearity using trapped atoms

TL;DR

This paper proposes a scheme to generate optical nonlinearity via trapped atoms and ancilla systems, enabling advanced quantum state manipulations like nonlinear phase shifts and Schrödinger cat states.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method combining atomic interactions and fluorescence measurements to produce optical nonlinearities for quantum information processing.

Findings

Enables simulation of arbitrary Hamiltonian evolution on Fock state qudits.

Facilitates creation of nonlinear phase shifts for quantum computation.

Allows preparation of optical Schrödinger cat states.

Abstract

We describe a scheme for producing an optical nonlinearity using an interaction with one or more ancilla two-level atomic systems. The nonlinearity, which can be implemented using high efficiency fluorescence shelving measurements, together with general linear transformations is sufficient for simulating arbitrary Hamiltonian evolution on a Fock state qudit. We give two examples of the application of this nonlinearity, one for the creation of nonlinear phase shifts on optical fields as required in single photon quantum computation schemes, and the other for the preparation of optical Schrodinger cat states.