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Strong interaction between light and a single trapped atom without the need for a cavity

2008; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 4; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/nphys1096

1745-2481

Meng Khoon Tey, Zilong Chen, Syed Abdullah Aljunid, Brenda Chng, Florian Huber, Gleb Maslennikov, Christian Kurtsiefer,

Quantum optics and atomic interactions

Coupling of light to an atom at single quanta level with high probability is a building block for many quantum information processing protocols. It is commonly believed that efficient coupling is only achievable with the assistance of a cavity. Here, we report on an observation of substantial coupling between a light beam and a single $^{87}$Rb atom in a direct extinction measurement by focusing light to a small spot with a single lens. Our result opens a new perspective on processing quantum information carried by light using atoms, and is important to many ongoing experiments that require strong coupling of single photons to an atom in free space.