Observation of pair tunneling and coherent destruction of tunneling in arrays of optical waveguides

Sebabrata Mukherjee, Manuel Valiente, Nathan Goldman, Alexander Spracklen, Erika Andersson, Patrik Öhberg, and Robert R. Thomson
Phys. Rev. A 94, 053853 – Published 28 November 2016

Abstract

We report on the experimental realization of a photonic system that simulates the one-dimensional two-particle Hubbard model. This analogy is realized by means of two-dimensional arrays of coupled optical waveguides, fabricated using femtosecond laser inscription. By tuning the analogous “interaction strength,” we reach the strongly interacting regime of the Hubbard Hamiltonian, and demonstrate the suppression of standard tunneling for individual “particles.” In this regime the formation of bound states is identified through the direct observation of pair tunneling. We then demonstrate the coherent destruction of tunneling (CDT) for the paired particles in the presence of an engineered oscillating force of high frequency. The precise control over the analogous “interaction strength” and driving force offered by our experimental system opens an exciting route towards quantum simulation of few-body physics in photonics.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 7 April 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.94.053853

©2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

Sebabrata Mukherjee1,*, Manuel Valiente1, Nathan Goldman2, Alexander Spracklen1, Erika Andersson1, Patrik Öhberg1, and Robert R. Thomson1

  • 1Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences, School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, United Kingdom
  • 2Center for Nonlinear Phenomena and Complex Systems, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 231, Campus Plaine, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium

  • *snm32@hw.ac.uk

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 94, Iss. 5 — November 2016

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×