Non-Markovianity induced by a single-photon wave packet in a one-dimensional waveguide

Area of Science:

• Quantum Optics
• Quantum Dynamics
• Quantum Information

Background:

• Non-Markovianity (NM) in quantum dynamics is an area of ongoing research and debate.
• Generating and measuring NM in specific quantum models is crucial for understanding its implications.
• Typically, engineered electromagnetic environments like optical cavities are used to induce NM in quantum systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel method for generating and measuring non-Markovianity (NM) in a quantum system.
• To explore the role of a single-photon packet in a waveguide as a source of NM.
• To identify controllable experimental parameters and distinct signatures of NM.

Main Methods:

• Coupling a two-level system to a one-dimensional waveguide.
• Preparing the initial field state as a single-photon packet.
• Analyzing the dependence of NM on the packet's linewidth and central frequency.

Main Results:

• Non-Markovianity (NM) was successfully generated and measured without requiring optical cavities or mirrors.
• The origin of NM was attributed to the initial single-photon packet state.
• NM was shown to be controllable by adjusting the packet's linewidth and central frequency, linked to quantum interference.

Conclusions:

• A new, mirrorless approach to generating and measuring non-Markovianity (NM) in quantum systems has been established.
• The two output channels of the waveguide provide distinct, experimentally accessible signatures of NM.
• This work contributes to the ongoing quest to understand and control non-Markovian dynamics in quantum optics.