Quantum Physics of Light-Matter

Interactions
Lecturer: Claudiu Genes
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (Erlangen, Germany)

-- Lecture 1: Introduction --

Genes Research Group

Cooperative Quantum Phenomena
Details
Lectures

13 lectures starting from 16 April 2021 until 16 July 2021

First lecture on 16 April 2021 will contain an overview of the course topics and aims
Last lecture will be on 16 July 2021 and will be a review of the material covered
Lecture on 4 June 2021 cancelled (public holiday the day before)

Exercises

13 exercises starting from 20 April 2021 and ending on 13 July 2021
Each exercise refers to the previous class (except for the first two which are preparatory for
Lecture 2)
Exam

90 minutes written exam – (date to be determined - at some point in August 2020)

Lecturer
Claudiu Genes – “Cooperative Quantum Phenomena” group at MPL, claudiu.genes@mpl.mpg.de

Teaching assistant
Michael Reitz– PhD student, michael.reitz@mpl.mpg.de
Details
Lecture notes

On the website:

https://mpl.mpg.de/research-at-mpl/independent-research-groups/genes-research-group/teachin
g/
Lecture style

Pre-recorded lectures available as a link to a dropbox folder (average time duration 1 ½ hours)
Questions and answers session on Fridays from 10:00 to 11:00 (with Claudiu online on the Zoom
platform, except for the first lecture which will be live and last from 10:00 to 12:00)
Exercise class on Tuesdays from 11 to 12 (with Michael online on the Zoom platform)

Exercise style

Exercise sheet available on Fridays after 12 (after class)

Exercises should be solved before Tuesday
Breakdown of lectures

Lecture 1 Introduction. Overview.

Lecture 2 Fundamental concepts and methods:

Lecture 3 1.Optical Bloch equations
Lecture 4 2.Master equations
Lecture 5 3.Quantum Langevin equations
Lecture 6

Applications:
Lecture 7 1.Laser theory
Lecture 8 2.Doppler cooling of atoms
Lecture 9 3.Ion traps and ion cooling
Lecture 10 4.Optomechanics
Lecture 11 5.Molecule-light interactions
Lecture 12 6.Subradiance and superradiance

Lecture 13 Recap session.

What this course is (and is not) about

Condensed matter

 Charge transport (electron dynamics in

solids)
 Electron-phonon dynamics
(superconductivity)
 Magnetism (spin-spin interactions, Ising
and Heisenberg models)
 Many body physics
 Exotic phase transitions
What this course is (and is not) about
Condensed matter
 Charge transport (electron dynamics in
solids)
 Electron-phonon dynamics
(superconductivity)
 Magnetism (spin-spin interactions, Ising
and Heisenberg models)
 Many body physics
 Exotic phase transitions
Quantum optics
 Properties of quantum light
 Quantum coherence, squeezing
etc
 Quantum limited precision
measurements
 Quantum teleportation
What this course is (and is not) about
Condensed matter
 Charge transport (electron dynamics in
solids)
 Electron-phonon dynamics
(superconductivity)
 Magnetism (spin-spin interactions, Ising
and Heisenberg models)
 Many body physics
 Exotic phase transitions
Quantum optics
 Properties of quantum light
 Quantum coherence, squeezing
etc
 Quantum limited precision
measurements
 Quantum teleportation
What this course is (and is not) about

Condensed matter Quantum optics

 Properties of quantum light

 Charge transport (electron dynamics in  Quantum coherence, squeezing
solids) etc
 Electron-phonon dynamics  Quantum limited precision
(superconductivity) measurements
 Magnetism (spin-spin interactions, Ising  Quantum teleportation
and Heisenberg models)
 Many body physics
 Exotic phase transitions

Light-matter interactions

 Aspects of the electron-photon interactions at the fundamental single quantum system level
Lectures 2-6
Story in short
On the matter side...

Consider a quantum emitter: atom, molecule, quantum dot etc

+
On the matter side...

Consider a quantum emitter: atom, molecule, quantum dot etc

Quantization of the electron motion - leads to electronic orbitals

(exact anaytical solution for the Hydrogen atom)
On the matter side...simple example: the Hydrogen atom

Simplifying asumptions:

• nucleus is heavy and therefore fixed in the origin

• non-relativistic description (Schrödinger equation suffices)
• spinless electron and proton
On the matter side...simple example: the Hydrogen atom

Simplifying asumptions:

• nucleus is heavy and therefore fixed in the origin

• non-relativistic description (Schrödinger equation suffices)
• spinless electron and proton

Radially symmetric potential (Coulomb) – exactly solvable model

On the matter side...simple example: the Hydrogen atom

In Dirac (ket) notation the Hamiltonian is diagonalized

On the matter side...simple example: the Hydrogen atom

In the position representation

Solutions
On the matter side...simple example: the Hydrogen atom

In the position representation

Solutions
Coupling of (classical) light to the electron
Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

The minimal coupling Hamiltonian

External applied field – scalar and vector potentials

Quantized motion of the electron (momentum and position)

Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

The minimal coupling Hamiltonian

External applied field – scalar and vector potentials

Quantized motion of the electron (momentum and position)

Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

The minimal coupling Hamiltonian

External applied field – scalar and vector potentials

Quantized motion of the electron (momentum and position)

+
Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

The minimal coupling Hamiltonian

External applied field – scalar and vector potentials

Quantized motion of the electron (momentum and position)

+
Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

How to proceed
Separate free Hamiltonian
Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

How to proceed
Separate free Hamiltonian
Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

How to proceed
Separate free Hamiltonian

Treat the rest as perturbation coupling eigenstates of the free Hamiltonian

Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

Simplification
Electromagnetic field resonant to a single transition

Simplified picture – two level system

Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

Simplification
Electromagnetic field resonant to a single transition

Simplified picture – two level system

Coupling of (classical) light to the electron

Simplification
Electromagnetic field resonant to a single transition

Simplified picture – two level system

Electrons tend to stay in the ground

electronic state at reasonable
temperatures
Stimulated absorption

Simplification
Electromagnetic field resonant to a single transition

Stimulated absorption

Electrons tend to stay in the ground

electronic state at reasonable
temperatures
Stimulated absorption

Simplification
Electromagnetic field resonant to a single transition

Stimulated absorption

Selections rules apply! Electrons tend to stay in the ground

electronic state at reasonable
temperatures
.................

Simplification
Electromagnetic field resonant to a single transition

What happens when the TLS starts in the excited state?

Stimulated emission

Simplification
Electromagnetic field resonant to a single transition

Stimulated emission
One process is missing

Spontaneous emission

The excitation is emitted into a random direction within the dipole radiation pattern
One process is missing

Spontaneous emission

But for this one needs an interaction and there is no electromagnetic field!!!
The quantized electromagnetic field
Quantization box

Actually...there is!!!
The quantized electromagnetic field
Quantization box

Put hats on the scalar and vector potential

The quantized electromagnetic field
Quantization box

 Decomposition of the electromagnetic energy into the modes of the quantization box

k-propagation direction

2 possible polarizations
The quantized electromagnetic field
Quantization box

 Decomposition of the electromagnetic energy into the modes of the quantization box

 Each of them can be mapped onto a quantum harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian

 Bosonic operators create/destroy single excitations (photons) in some given direction

with a given polarization

k-propagation direction

2 possible polarizations
The quantized electromagnetic field
Quantization box

 Decomposition of the electromagnetic energy into the modes of the quantization box

 Each of them can be mapped onto a quantum harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian

 Bosonic operators create/destroy single excitations (photons)

 Electric field operator takes the following form

...with a zero point electric field amplitude

Spontaneous emission revisited
Quantization box

There is a probability of turning the excitation into a

photon in some random direction
Spontaneous emission revisited
Quantization box

There is a probability of turning the excitation into a

photon in some random direction

The resulting dynamics is irreversible and can be cast as a master equation (Chapter 2)

The loss rate is obtained as the rate to which the excitation is lost in any direction
Optical resonators
Notice the scaling with volume in the zero point electric field amplitude
Optical resonators
Notice the scaling with volume in the zero point electric field amplitude

This suggests using small volumes to maximize the electron-photon interactions strength
Optical resonators
Notice the scaling with volume in the zero point electric field amplitude

This suggests using small volumes to maximize the electron-photon interactions strength

Optical resonator
Optical resonators
Optical cavity

 Multiple resonances
 Lorentzian profile – enhanced density of optical modes around resonances

Quasi-mode

frequency

Cavity mode linewidth

Cavity quantum electrodynamics
Cavity quantum electrodynamics

These topics will be covered in Chapter 3 (Lectures 5 and 6)

 Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian (cavity enhanced light-matter interactions)

 Input output relations (quantum theory)

 Let’s recap:
Atom can be represented by two or more levels between which the electron can
transition
 Let’s recap:
Atom can be represented by two or more levels between which the electron can
transition

Light can induce such transitions

 Let’s recap:
Atom can be represented by two or more levels between which the electron can
transition

Light can induce such transitions

Classical light description sufficient to explain stimulated absorption/emission

 Let’s recap:
Atom can be represented by two or more levels between which the electron can
transition

Light can induce such transitions

Classical light description sufficient to explain stimulated absorption/emission

Quantum vacuum necessary for correct description of spontaneous emission

 Let’s recap:
Atom can be represented by two or more levels between which the electron can
transition

Light can induce such transitions

Classical light description sufficient to explain stimulated absorption/emission

Quantum vacuum necessary for correct description of spontaneous emission

Electron-photon interactions are stronger in smaller volumes (optical resonators)

 Let’s recap:
Atom can be represented by two or more levels between which the electron can
transition

Light can induce such transitions

Classical light description sufficient to explain stimulated absorption/emission

Quantum vacuum necessary for correct description of spontaneous emission

Electron-photon interactions are stronger in smaller volumes (optical resonators)

Ok…Why do we care? What can we do with

this?
(we’ll spend the first 5 lectures to learn how to properly describe all these aspects!!)
Lecture 7
The laser

Source: youtube: How a laser works

The laser

1. A simple description of the lasing process

From CNRS

Local copy
The laser

1. A simple description of the lasing process

From CNRS

Local copy

2. A more complex description of a Ruby laser

From youtube

Local copy
The laser

1. A simple description of the lasing process

From CNRS

Local copy

2. A more complex description of a Ruby laser

From youtube

Local copy

3. An even more complex description of lasers

From youtube
A theorist‘s laser...

Many useful resources on the web. Click here to download the laser app

Local copy of the laser app

The laser – topics covered in Lecture 7
Pumping a cavity with a gain medium

Pump leads to population inversion

The laser – topics covered in Lecture 7
Pumping a cavity with a gain medium

Pump leads to population inversion

Finding lasing threshold

Fast relaxation

pump Lasing transition

The laser – topics covered in Lecture 7
Pumping a cavity with a gain medium

Non-thermal light?

Pump leads to population inversion

Finding lasing threshold Photon statistics

Fast relaxation

Lasing transition

pump Lasing transition

 Thermal distribution (below threshold)

 Poissonian distribution (above threshold)

 Now we have a laser!
What can we do with it?
 Now we have a laser!
What can we do with it?
Control motion at the microscopic level (atoms, ions, molecules) – Lectures 8,9

Control motion at the macroscale (membranes, mirrors, levitated nanoparticles) –

Lecture 10

Spectroscopic studies of molecules (Lecture 11)

Lecture 8
Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 8

laser Moving atom

Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 8

Light can affect motion !

laser Moving atom

Light carries momentum

Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 8

Light can affect motion !

laser Moving atom

Light carries momentum Recoil momentum – recoil energy

Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 8

laser

Possible processes:
Initial Final

• Stimulated absorption recoil

Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 8

laser

Possible processes:
Initial Final

• Stimulated absorption recoil

Initial Final

• Stimulated absorption recoil

Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 8

laser

Possible processes:
Initial Final

• Stimulated absorption recoil

Initial Final

• Stimulated absorption recoil

Initial Final
recoil

• Spontaneous emission
Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 8

Cooling geometry (counterpropagating fields)

Spontaneous emission to other directions

Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 8

Cooling geometry (counterpropagating fields)

Spontaneous emission to other directions

Doppler cooling!
Lecture 9
Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 9

Ions in Paul traps (quasi-harmonic traps)

Scheme of a Quadrupole ion trap
of classical setup with a particle
of positive charge (dark red),
surrounded by a cloud of similarly
charged particles (light red). The
electric field E (blue) is generated
by a quadrupole of endcaps (a,
positive) and a ring electrode (b).
Picture 1 and 2 show two states
during an AC cycle.

Source: Wikipedia
Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 9

Ions in Paul traps (quasi-harmonic traps)

Scheme of a Quadrupole ion trap
of classical setup with a particle
of positive charge (dark red),
surrounded by a cloud of similarly
charged particles (light red). The
electric field E (blue) is generated
by a quadrupole of endcaps (a,
positive) and a ring electrode (b).
Picture 1 and 2 show two states
during an AC cycle.

Source: Wikipedia

Why is this interesting

 One can implement quantum logic and hopefully full-scale quantum computing
 Ideal platform for performing quantum simulations of complicated Hamiltonians
Controlling motion by light (at the microscale) - Lecture 9

Ions in Paul traps (quasi-harmonic traps)

Scheme of a Quadrupole ion trap
of classical setup with a particle
of positive charge (dark red),
surrounded by a cloud of similarly
charged particles (light red). The
electric field E (blue) is generated
by a quadrupole of endcaps (a,
positive) and a ring electrode (b).
Picture 1 and 2 show two states
during an AC cycle.

Source: Wikipedia

Why is this interesting

 One can implement quantum logic and hopefully full-scale quantum computing
 Ideal platform for performing quantum simulations of complicated Hamiltonians

Topics covered in Lecture 9

 Classical dynamics of an ion in a quadrupole trap – the harmonic motion approximation
 Trapped ion cooling via external lasers (resolved sideband cooling)
 Trapped ion quantum gates (quantum logic) – (possibly )
Lecture 10
Controlling motion by light (at the macroscale) - Lecture 10
Goal: use light to control motion of massive mechanical resonators at the quantum level.
Controlling motion by light (at the macroscale) - Lecture 10
Goal: use light to control motion of massive mechanical resonators at the quantum level.

Free space Cavity enhancement

Radiation pressure • Dynamical system – back action of motion onto
force the cavity field
• Time-delayed equations
Tiny effect • Both amplification and cooling of mechanical
motion achievable
• Nonlinear dynamics – chaos, self-oscillations
Controlling motion by light (at the macroscale) - Lecture 10
Goal: use light to control motion of massive mechanical resonators at the quantum level.

Free space Cavity enhancement

Radiation pressure • Dynamical system – back action of motion onto
force the cavity field
• Time-delayed equations
Tiny effect • Both amplification and cooling of mechanical
motion achievable
• Nonlinear dynamics – chaos, self-oscillations

kg

• LIGO, VIRGO
• Detection of gravitational
waves

Cavity Optomechanics, M. Aspelmeyer, T. Kippenberg, and F. Marquardt, Phys. Rev. Mod. (2014)
Controlling motion by light (at the macroscale) - Lecture 10
Goal: use light to control motion of massive mechanical resonators at the quantum level.

Free space Cavity enhancement

Radiation pressure • Dynamical system – back action of motion onto
force the cavity field
• Time-delayed equations
Tiny effect • Both amplification and cooling of mechanical
motion achievable
• Nonlinear dynamics – chaos, self-oscillations

kg Towards nano-optomechanics

• LIGO, VIRGO
• Detection of gravitational Basic science Technology
waves • Testing the classical-quantum • Ultra-sensitive displacement
boundary at the large mass detection
scale • inertial sensors

Cavity Optomechanics, M. Aspelmeyer, T. Kippenberg, and F. Marquardt, Phys. Rev. Mod. (2014)
Lecture 11
Molecular spectroscopy - Lecture 11

The complex nature of molecules

Molecular spectroscopy - Lecture 11
We will look at a much simpler model (diatomic homonuclear molecules)
Molecular spectroscopy - Lecture 11

Motivation

Material and chemical properties can be strongly

modified by coupling molecules to quantum light (for
example inside optical cavities)

Studies in molecular spectroscopy led to the

development of the first maser and contributed to the
subsequent development of the laser.
Molecular spectroscopy - Lecture 11

Motivation

Material and chemical properties can be strongly

modified by coupling molecules to quantum light (for
example inside optical cavities)

Studies in molecular spectroscopy led to the

development of the first maser and contributed to the
subsequent development of the laser.

Topics covered

Derivation of the vibronic interaction (electron to

nuclear vibrations) – the Holstein Hamiltonian

Derivation of the Franck-Condon principle

Absorption and emission spectra

Lecture 12
Superradiance/subradiance effects – Lecture 12

Atomic, molecular system 1 Atomic, molecular system 2

- -

+ +

How do atoms decay when they see each other?

Superradiance/subradiance effects – Lecture 12

Atomic, molecular system 1 Atomic, molecular system 2

- -

+ +

Answer: faster (superradiance) or slower (subradiance) than independent atoms

Superradiance/subradiance effects – Lecture 12
Effect
 Atoms close to each other can decay collectively

 The emission rate for some collective states might be very slow (subradiance) or very fast
(superradiance)

Applications
 Robust quantum memories for quantum information science (with subradiant states)

 Applicable to quantum metrology

 Superradiant lasers
Superradiance/subradiance effects – Lecture 12
Effect
 Atoms close to each other can decay collectively

 The emission rate for some collective states might be very slow (subradiance) or very fast
(superradiance)

Applications
 Robust quantum memories for quantum information science (with subradiant states)

 Applicable to quantum metrology

 Superradiant lasers

Topics covered
 Derivation of the master equation for closely-spaced two-level systems

 Occurrence of subradiance and superradiance