Quantum optics with Rydberg superatoms

Asaf Paris (UNAM)

ABSTRACT: 

The strong interaction existing between Rydberg (highly excited) atoms results in the blockade phenomenon in which the excitation of a single atom inhibits any further excitations of nearby atoms. This mechanism can turn a large ensemble of individual atoms into a collective system which behaves like a single two-level emitter, known as a Rydberg superatom, with enhanced coupling to the driving optical mode, enabling strong coherent coupling at the few-photon level in free-space. In this talk, the basic principles of Rydberg superatoms will be discussed as well as various quantum optics applications such as single-photon generation and subtraction.

BIO:

Undergrad: Physics at UNAM

PhD: University of Nottingham working with ultracold mixtures of Lithium and Cesium

Postdoc: At the University of Stuttgart working on the experiment Sebastian Hofferberth on Rydberg Quantum Optics within Tilman Pfau’s group.