Physics

Quantum device removes single photons from light beams on demand

How the science connects

PhotonicsQuantum opticsWaveguide

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Researchers demonstrated a method for deterministic photon subtraction using a three-level quantum emitter coupled to a chiral waveguide. The system exploits the directional coupling properties of chiral waveguides to selectively remove single photons from a light field while preserving quantum coherence. This approach achieved high subtraction efficiency while maintaining the non-classical properties of the remaining photons.


This technique is crucial for quantum information processing and quantum computing applications, particularly for generating non-Gaussian quantum states needed for quantum error correction and universal quantum computation. The deterministic nature of this photon subtraction method represents a significant improvement over probabilistic schemes used in current quantum optical systems.


Source: Photon subtraction using a three-level emitter coupled to a chiral waveguide