Speaker
Description
Achieving efficient and controlled interactions between light and atoms, or other quantum emitters, is essential for quantum optics and certain quantum technologies. A key challenge in these systems is photon loss —caused by re-scattering into unwanted directions— which fundamentally limits performance. In typical experiments with dilute atomic clouds, atoms are often assumed to emit light independently. However, this assumption breaks down when atoms are separated by distances smaller than the wavelength of light, a regime now accessible with state-of-the-art trapping techniques. In this scenario, atoms couple to a common radiation field, leading to dipole-dipole interactions and collective spontaneous emission. As a result, atomic ensembles can decay at rates significantly faster (superradiance) or slower (subradiance) than a single atom. In this talk, we will explore how these collective dissipation effects can be turned into a resource in quantum applications, as for instance, enhancing the efficiency of single-photon storage and retrieval.
