Cold atoms, photons, and quantum correlations

Abstract

Devices for quantum information computation and communication require the combined use of different quantum systems: photons can transmit informations over large distances, cold trapped atoms can be manipulated to enable quantum information processing, and atomic ensembles are suited for long-lived quantum memories, as well as non-linear generation of non-classical correlations. Cold atoms are a promising platform to manipulate light, and in this project we will focus on two specific quantum information tools: sources of correlated photons and memories, exploiting collective, multimode quantum states of atomic ensembles. We will address cooperative scattering in large atomic clouds to enhance these properties, i.e., we aim at showing how dipole-dipole interactions make it possible to tune both the lifetime and the optical coherences of the emitted light. (AU)