Bifurcations in Single Atom Cavity QED

Citation

Armen, Michael A. (2009) Bifurcations in Single Atom Cavity QED. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/2G57-2609. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-05262009-100436

Abstract

Current research in single-atom cavity quantum electrodynamics largely emphasizes the input-output properties of strongly coupled systems, from normal mode splitting to photon blockade. But over the last decade, experiments have, with few exceptions, focused on relatively weak driving conditions. This thesis concentrates on a range of quantum nonlinear phenomena in the strong driving regime. In particular, I discuss the observation of random-telegraph phase switching in the light transmitted through a Fabry-Perot resonator containing one strongly coupled atom and 10-100 photons, confirming long-standing predictions of a phenomenon known as single-atom phase bistability. These results highlight the relevance of cavity quantum electrodynamics in the development of attojoule nanophotonic logic and signal processing. In addition, I consider a general class of bifurcation phenomena that are manifest within this physical setting. Here, focus is placed on the investigation of quantum-classical correspondence near semiclassical bifurcation points.

Thesis Files