Fermionized photons in an array of driven dissipative nonlinear cavities

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• Condensed matter theory
• Nonlinear photonics

Background:

• Optical microcavities are crucial for controlling light-matter interactions.
• Strong optical nonlinearity can lead to complex quantum phenomena.
• Understanding nonequilibrium steady states is vital for quantum device development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theoretically investigate the optical response of 1D arrays of strongly nonlinear optical microcavities.
• To explore the connection between system dynamics and quantum gas behavior.
• To identify observable signatures of strong correlations in experimental settings.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling of a 1D array of nonlinear optical microcavities.
• Analysis of the system's nonequilibrium steady state.
• Examination of transmission spectra and intensity correlations of transmitted light.

Main Results:

• The system's steady state resembles a Tonks-Girardeau gas of impenetrable bosons when nonlinearity dominates.
• Signatures of strong quantum correlations were identified in the transmission spectrum.
• Intensity correlations of transmitted light also reveal signatures of strong correlations.

Conclusions:

• Strongly nonlinear optical microcavities can exhibit quantum phenomena analogous to strongly correlated quantum gases.
• The identified signatures provide a pathway for experimental verification in solid-state devices.
• This research opens avenues for novel quantum optical devices and simulations.