2,299 research outputs found
Strong coupling of single emitters to surface plasmons
We propose a method that enables strong, coherent coupling between individual
optical emitters and electromagnetic excitations in conducting nano-structures.
The excitations are optical plasmons that can be localized to sub-wavelength
dimensions. Under realistic conditions, the tight confinement causes optical
emission to be almost entirely directed into the propagating plasmon modes via
a mechanism analogous to cavity quantum electrodynamics. We first illustrate
this result for the case of a nanowire, before considering the optimized
geometry of a nanotip. We describe an application of this technique involving
efficient single-photon generation on demand, in which the plasmons are
efficiently out-coupled to a dielectric waveguide. Finally we analyze the
effects of increased scattering due to surface roughness on these
nano-structures.Comment: 34 pages, 7 figure
Fast-Light in a Photorefractive Crystal for Gravitational Wave Detection
We demonstrate superluminal light propagation using two frequency multiplexed
pump beams to produce a gain doublet in a photorefractive crystal of Ce:BaTiO3.
The two gain lines are obtained by two-wave mixing between a probe field and
two individual pump fields. The angular frequencies of the pumps are
symmetrically tuned from the frequency of the probe. The frequency difference
between the pumps corresponds to the separation of the two gain lines; as it
increases, the crystal gradually converts from normal dispersion without
detuning to an anomalously dispersive medium. The time advance is measured as
0.28 sec for a pulse propagating through a medium with a 2Hz gain separation,
compared to the same pulse propagating through empty space. We also demonstrate
directly anomalous dispersion profile using a modfied experimental
configuration. Finally, we discuss how anomalous dispersion produced this way
in a faster photorefractive crystal (such as SPS: Sn2P2S6) could be employed to
enhance the sensitivity-bandwidth product of a LIGO type gravitational wave
detector augmented by a White Light Cavity.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure
Cavity Nonlinear Optics at Low Photon Numbers from Collective Atomic Motion
We report on Kerr nonlinearity and dispersive optical bistability of a
Fabry-Perot optical resonator due to the displacement of ultracold atoms
trapped within. In the driven resonator, such collective motion is induced by
optical forces acting upon up to Rb atoms prepared in the lowest
band of a one-dimensional intracavity optical lattice. The longevity of atomic
motional coherence allows for strongly nonlinear optics at extremely low cavity
photon numbers, as demonstrated by the observation of both branches of optical
bistability at photon numbers below unity.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Modifed following reviewer comment
- …