Unconventional quantum optics in topological waveguide QED

Area of Science:

• Quantum optics
• Topological photonics
• Condensed matter physics

Background:

• Topological materials offer unique properties for light manipulation.
• Exporting topological concepts to photonics enables exotic light behaviors.
• Waveguide quantum electrodynamics (QED) provides a platform for studying light-matter interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To predict unconventional quantum optical phenomena.
• To investigate quantum emitters interacting with a topological waveguide QED bath.
• To explore the photonic analog of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical prediction of quantum optical phenomena.
• Analysis of quantum emitters coupled to a topological waveguide.
• Investigation of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model in a photonic system.

Main Results:

• Emergence of a chiral bound state when emitter frequency is in the topological bandgap.
• Mediation of topological, tunable interactions between multiple emitters, leading to exotic many-body phases (e.g., double Néel states).
• Unconventional scattering properties and super/subradiant states when emitters are resonant with the bands, dependent on band topology.

Conclusions:

• Topological photonics enables novel quantum optical phenomena.
• Chiral bound states and tunable interactions can be engineered with quantum emitters.
• Proposed phenomena are observable with current state-of-the-art technology.