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1. Detection of photon statistics and multimode field correlations by Raman processes

   https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0039759  

   Schlawin, Frank; Dorfman, Konstantin_E; Mukamel, Shaul (March 2021, The Journal of Chemical Physics)

   Glauber’s g(2)-function provides a common measure of quantum field statistics through two-photon coincidence counting in Hanbury Brown–Twiss measurements. Here, we propose to use nonlinear optical signals as a tool for the characterization of quantum light. In particular, we show that Raman measurements provide an alternative direct probe for a different component of the four-point correlation function underlying the g(2)-function. We illustrate this capacity for a specific quantum state obtained from a frequency conversion process. Our work points out how the analysis of controlled optical nonlinear processes can provide an alternative window toward the analysis of quantum light sources. 

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2. A perspective on nonlinear, microwave, and quantum photonics with Kerr microcombs

   https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0181707  

   Chembo, Yanne K; Heidari, Elham; Menyuk, Curtis R (December 2023, Applied Physics Letters)

   Microresonator Kerr optical frequency combs currently constitute a well-established research area in integrated, nonlinear, and quantum photonics. These systems have found a plethora of technological applications, while serving as an excellent platform to investigate fundamental scientific topics such as light–matter interactions, pattern formation in driven-dissipative systems, or entangled twin-photon generation. We here provide a brief overview of the topic, highlight some of the most recent advances, and discuss a few of the main challenges ahead in this field. 

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3. Entangled two-photon absorption by atoms and molecules: A quantum optics tutorial

   https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0049338  

   Raymer, Michael_G; Landes, Tiemo; Marcus, Andrew_H (August 2021, The Journal of Chemical Physics)

   Two-photon absorption (TPA) and other nonlinear interactions of molecules with time–frequency-entangled photon pairs have been predicted to display a variety of fascinating effects. Therefore, their potential use in practical quantum-enhanced molecular spectroscopy requires close examination. This Tutorial presents a detailed theoretical study of one- and two-photon absorption by molecules, focusing on how to treat the quantum nature of light. We review some basic quantum optics theory and then we review the density-matrix (Liouville) derivation of molecular optical response, emphasizing how to incorporate quantum states of light into the treatment. For illustration, we treat in detail the TPA of photon pairs created by spontaneous parametric down conversion, with an emphasis on how quantum light TPA differs from that with classical light. In particular, we treat the question of how much enhancement of the TPA rate can be achieved using entangled states. This Tutorial includes a review of known theoretical methods and results as well as some extensions, especially the comparison of TPA processes that occur via far-off-resonant intermediate states only and those that involve off-resonant intermediate states by virtue of dephasing processes. A brief discussion of the main challenges facing experimental studies of entangled two-photon absorption is also given. 

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4. Long-range cooperative resonances in rare-earth ion arrays inside photonic resonators

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-022-00871-w  

   Pak, Dongmin; Nandi, Arindam; Titze, Michael; Bielejec, Edward S.; Alaeian, Hadiseh; Hosseini, Mahdi (April 2022, Communications Physics)

   Abstract Engineering arrays of active optical centers to control the interaction Hamiltonian between light and matter has been the subject of intense research recently. Collective interaction of atomic arrays with optical photons can give rise to directionally enhanced absorption or emission, which enables engineering of broadband and strong atom-photon interfaces. Here, we report on the observation of long-range cooperative resonances in an array of rare-earth ions controllably implanted into a solid-state lithium niobate micro-ring resonator. We show that cooperative effects can be observed in an ordered ion array extended far beyond the light’s wavelength. We observe enhanced emission from both cavity-induced Purcell enhancement and array-induced collective resonances at cryogenic temperatures. Engineering collective resonances as a paradigm for enhanced light-matter interactions can enable suppression of free-space spontaneous emission. The multi-functionality of lithium niobate hosting rare-earth ions can open possibilities of quantum photonic device engineering for scalable and multiplexed quantum networks. 

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5. Optical properties of plasmonic tunneling junctions

   https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0128822  

   Tang, Yuankai; Harutyunyan, Hayk (February 2023, The Journal of Chemical Physics)

   Over the last century, quantum theories have revolutionized our understanding of material properties. One of the most striking quantum phenomena occurring in heterogeneous media is the quantum tunneling effect, where carriers can tunnel through potential barriers even if the barrier height exceeds the carrier energy. Interestingly, the tunneling process can be accompanied by the absorption or emission of light. In most tunneling junctions made of noble metal electrodes, these optical phenomena are governed by plasmonic modes, i.e., light-driven collective oscillations of surface electrons. In the emission process, plasmon excitation via inelastic tunneling electrons can improve the efficiency of photon generation, resulting in bright nanoscale optical sources. On the other hand, the incident light can affect the tunneling behavior of plasmonic junctions as well, leading to phenomena such as optical rectification and induced photocurrent. Thus, plasmonic tunneling junctions provide a rich platform for investigating light–matter interactions, paving the way for various applications, including nanoscale light sources, sensors, and chemical reactors. In this paper, we will introduce recent research progress and promising applications based on plasmonic tunneling junctions. 

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