Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering
Almost 60 years ago Dicke introduced the term superradiance to describe a signature quantum effect: N atoms can collectively emit light at a rate proportional to N(2). Structures that superradiate must also have enhanced absorption, but the former always dominates in natural systems. Here we show th...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer Nature
2014
|
| _version_ | 1826282113647771648 |
|---|---|
| author | Higgins, K Benjamin, S Stace, T Milburn, G Lovett, B Gauger, E |
| author_facet | Higgins, K Benjamin, S Stace, T Milburn, G Lovett, B Gauger, E |
| author_sort | Higgins, K |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | Almost 60 years ago Dicke introduced the term superradiance to describe a signature quantum effect: N atoms can collectively emit light at a rate proportional to N(2). Structures that superradiate must also have enhanced absorption, but the former always dominates in natural systems. Here we show that this restriction can be overcome by combining several well-established quantum control techniques. Our analytical and numerical calculations show that superabsorption can then be achieved and sustained in certain simple nanostructures, by trapping the system in a highly excited state through transition rate engineering. This opens the prospect of a new class of quantum nanotechnology with potential applications including photon detection and light-based power transmission. An array of quantum dots or a molecular ring structure could provide a suitable platform for an experimental demonstration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T00:38:57Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:825fe6c6-627a-4b81-88ad-a09f61e73143 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T00:38:57Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:825fe6c6-627a-4b81-88ad-a09f61e731432022-03-26T21:36:58ZSuperabsorption of light via quantum engineeringJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:825fe6c6-627a-4b81-88ad-a09f61e73143EnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordSpringer Nature2014Higgins, KBenjamin, SStace, TMilburn, GLovett, BGauger, EAlmost 60 years ago Dicke introduced the term superradiance to describe a signature quantum effect: N atoms can collectively emit light at a rate proportional to N(2). Structures that superradiate must also have enhanced absorption, but the former always dominates in natural systems. Here we show that this restriction can be overcome by combining several well-established quantum control techniques. Our analytical and numerical calculations show that superabsorption can then be achieved and sustained in certain simple nanostructures, by trapping the system in a highly excited state through transition rate engineering. This opens the prospect of a new class of quantum nanotechnology with potential applications including photon detection and light-based power transmission. An array of quantum dots or a molecular ring structure could provide a suitable platform for an experimental demonstration. |
| spellingShingle | Higgins, K Benjamin, S Stace, T Milburn, G Lovett, B Gauger, E Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering |
| title | Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering |
| title_full | Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering |
| title_fullStr | Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering |
| title_full_unstemmed | Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering |
| title_short | Superabsorption of light via quantum engineering |
| title_sort | superabsorption of light via quantum engineering |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT higginsk superabsorptionoflightviaquantumengineering AT benjamins superabsorptionoflightviaquantumengineering AT stacet superabsorptionoflightviaquantumengineering AT milburng superabsorptionoflightviaquantumengineering AT lovettb superabsorptionoflightviaquantumengineering AT gaugere superabsorptionoflightviaquantumengineering |