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Goulielmakis, E. (2012). Attosecond photonics: Extreme ultraviolet catastrophes. Nat. Photon., 6(3), 142–143.
Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet attosecond pulses, which emerge from the interaction of atoms with intense laser fields, play a central role in modern ultrafast science and the exploration of electron behaviour. Recent work now shows that catastrophe theory can help optimize the properties of these pulses.
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Brida, G., Genovese, M., & Ruo Berchera, I. (2010). Experimental realization of sub-shot-noise quantum imaging. Nat. Photon., 4(4), 227–230.
Abstract: The properties of quantum states have led to the development of new technologies, ranging from quantum information to quantum metrology. A recent field of research to emerge is quantum imaging, which aims to overcome the limits of classical imaging by making use of the spatial properties of quantum states of light . In particular, quantum correlations between twin beams represent a fundamental resource for these studies. One of the most interesting proposed schemes takes advantage of the spatial quantum correlations between parametric down-conversion light beams to realize sub-shot-noise imaging of weak absorbing objects, leading ideally to noise-free imaging. Here, we present the first experimental realization of this scheme, showing its potential to achieve a larger signal-to-noise ratio than classical imaging methods. This work represents the starting point for this quantum technology, which we anticipate will have applications when there is a requirement for low-photon-flux illumination (for example for use with biological samples).
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Yao, X. - C., Wang, T. - X., Xu, P., Lu, H., Pan, G. - S., Bao, X. - H., et al. (2012). Observation of eight-photon entanglement. Nat. Photon., 6(4), 225–228.
Abstract: The creation of increasingly large multipartite entangled states is not only a fundamental scientific endeavour in itself, but is also the enabling technology for quantum information. Tremendous experimental effort has been devoted to generating multiparticle entanglement with a growing number of qubits. So far, up to six spatially separated single photons have been entangled based on parametric downconversion. Multiple degrees of freedom of a single photon have been exploited to generate forms of hyper-entangled states. Here, using new ultra-bright sources of entangled photon pairs, an eight-photon interferometer and post-selection detection, we demonstrate for the first time the creation of an eight-photon Schrödinger cat state with genuine multipartite entanglement. The ability to control eight individual photons represents a step towards optical quantum computation, and will enable new experiments on, for example, quantum simulation, topological error correction and testing entanglement dynamics under decoherence.
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Nozaki, K., Shinya, A., Matsuo, S., Suzaki, Y., Segawa, T., Sato, T., et al. (2012). Ultralow-power all-optical RAM based on nanocavities. Nat. Photon., 6(4), 248–252.
Abstract: Optical random-access memory (o-RAM) has been regarded as one of the most difficult challenges in terms of replacing its various functionalities in electronic circuitry with their photonic counterparts. Nevertheless, it constitutes a key device in optical routing and processing. Here, we demonstrate that photonic crystal nanocavities with an ultrasmall buried heterostructure design can solve most of the problems encountered in previous o-RAMs. By taking advantage of the strong confinement of photons and carriers and allowing heat to escape efficiently, we have realized all-optical RAMs with a power consumption of only 30 nW, which is more than 300 times lower than the previous record, and have achieved continuous operation. We have also demonstrated their feasibility in multibit integration. This paves the way for constructing a low-power large-scale o-RAM system that can handle high-bit-rate optical signals.
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Ulhaq, A., Weiler, S., Ulrich, S. M., Roßbach, R., Jetter, M., & Michler, P. (2012). Cascaded single-photon emission from the Mollow triplet sidebands of a quantum dot. Nat. Photon., 6(4), 238–242.
Abstract: Emission from a resonantly excited quantum emitter is a fascinating research topic within the field of quantum optics and is a useful source for different types of quantum light fields. The resonance spectrum consists of a single spectral line that develops into a triplet above saturation of the quantum emitter. The three closely spaced photon channels from the resonance fluorescence have different photon statistical signatures. We present a detailed photon statistics analysis of the resonance fluorescence emission triplet from a solid-state-based artificial atom, that is, a semiconductor quantum dot. The photon correlation measurements demonstrate both `single' and `cascaded' photon emission from the Mollow triplet sidebands. The bright and narrow sideband emission (5.9 × 106 photons per second into the first lens) can be conveniently frequency-tuned by laser detuning over 15 times its linewidth (Δv ~ 1.0 GHz). These unique properties make the Mollow triplet sideband emission a valuable light source for quantum light spectroscopy and quantum information applications, for example.
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Tassin, P., Koschny, T., Kafesaki, M., & Soukoulis, C. M. (2012). A comparison of graphene, superconductors and metals as conductors for metamaterials and plasmonics. Nat. Photon., 6(4), 259–264.
Abstract: Recent advancements in metamaterials and plasmonics have promised a number of exciting applications, in particular at terahertz and optical frequencies. Unfortunately, the noble metals used in these photonic structures are not particularly good conductors at high frequencies, resulting in significant dissipative loss. Here, we address the question of what is a good conductor for metamaterials and plasmonics. For resonant metamaterials, we develop a figure-of-merit for conductors that allows for a straightforward classification of conducting materials according to the resulting dissipative loss in the metamaterial. Application of our method predicts that graphene and high-Tc superconductors are not viable alternatives for metals in metamaterials. We also provide an overview of a number of transition metals, alkali metals and transparent conducting oxides. For plasmonic systems, we predict that graphene and high-Tc superconductors cannot outperform gold as a platform for surface plasmon polaritons, because graphene has a smaller propagation length-to-wavelength ratio.
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Usmani, I., Clausen, C., Bussières, F., Sangouard, N., Afzelius, M., & Gisin, N. (2012). Heralded quantum entanglement between two crystals. Nat. Photon., 6(4), 234–237.
Abstract: Quantum networks must have the crucial ability to entangle quantum nodes. A prominent example is the quantum repeater, which allows the distance barrier of direct transmission of single photons to be overcome, provided remote quantum memories can be entangled in a heralded fashion. Here, we report the observation of heralded entanglement between two ensembles of rare-earth ions doped into separate crystals. A heralded single photon is sent through a 50/50 beamsplitter, creating a single-photon entangled state delocalized between two spatial modes. The quantum state of each mode is subsequently mapped onto a crystal, leading to an entangled state consisting of a single collective excitation delocalized between two crystals. This entanglement is revealed by mapping it back to optical modes and by estimating the concurrence of the retrieved light state. Our results highlight the potential of crystals doped with rare-earth ions for entangled quantum nodes and bring quantum networks based on solid-state resources one step closer.
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Wu, M. C. (2011). Optoelectronic tweezers. Nature Photon, 5(6), 322–324.
Abstract: Using projected light patterns to form virtual electrodes on a photosensitive substrate, optoelectronic tweezers are able to grab and move micro- and nanoscale objects at will, facilitating applications far beyond biology and colloidal science.
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Fazal, F. M., & Block, S. M. (2011). Optical tweezers study life under tension. Nat. Photon., 5(6), 318–321.
Abstract: Optical tweezers have become one of the primary weapons in the arsenal of biophysicists, and have revolutionized the new field of single-molecule biophysics. Today's techniques allow high-resolution experiments on biological macromolecules that were mere pipe dreams only a decade ago.
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Schwarz, B. (2010). Lidar: Mapping the world in 3D. Nat. Photon., 4(7), 429–430.
Abstract: A high-definition LIDAR system with a rotating sensor head containing 64 semiconductor lasers allows the efficient generation of 3D environment maps at unprecedented levels of detail.
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