Towards a Bose-Fermi Rydberg optical light switch
Speaker: Susi Otto
Affiliation: University of Otago
Abstract
Rydberg atoms offer a platform for manipulating light with control at the single-photon level. The strong dipolar interactions between Rydberg atoms in atomic clouds have proven useful for the experimental realisation of photon-based processing tools such as an all-optical switch and transistor. In this seminar, I will explain the mechanisms needed for such Rydberg-mediated photon-photon interaction. Specifically, I will discuss the prospects of extending such tools to two spatially isolated clouds containing two Rydberg atomic species. To obtain long-range Rydberg-Rydberg interaction covering atomic ensembles distanced by ~20 µm we will use Förster resonances. Lastly, we envision to employ degenerate fermions to improve the lifetime of the stored photon. I will show a pilot study showing first indications of photon-photon interaction in a single atomic ensemble and discuss next steps towards our goal to demonstrate a Bose-Fermi Rydberg optical light switch.
About Australia - New Zealand Cold Atom Seminars
This new initiative hosts a seminar once a month for the Australia – New Zealand cold atom research community. The purpose is to encourage and facilitate ongoing discussions and collaboration in the local community. Talks should be less than 40 minutes in length to allow ample time for questions and discussion.
Seminars will be held on the last Friday of the month (except for December) at 1pm Melbourne time (which is normally 3pm New Zealand time). While the primary format is online via Zoom, various institutions will host the seminar in local seminar rooms. The Zoom link is https://uqz.zoom.us/j/88604569495
You can sign up for announcements for the seminars at this webpage:
https://lists.science.uq.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/anz_coldatoms
Seminars are recorded, and past seminars can be accessed from this web page.
Contact Matthew Davis mdavis@physics.uq.edu.au for further information.