New opportunities for creating quantum states of light and matter with intense laser fields

Abstract

Nonlinear dynamics provide an indispensable resource for creating quantum states of light, as well as other bosonic systems. Seminal work using second- and third-order nonlinear optical crystals, cavity quantum electrodynamics, and superconducting circuits, have enabled generating squeezed states, as well as various non-Gaussian quantum states (e.g., single photons, cat states) at both infrared and microwave frequencies. Nevertheless, it remains challenging to generate quantum states of light in broad portions of the electromagnetic spectrum: for example, at terahertz frequencies and at ultraviolet and X-ray frequencies. In this Perspective, I discuss a variety of emerging material platforms, as well as emerging theoretical and experimental tools, which enable overcoming these challenges. The main argument of this Perspective is that advances in driving nonlinear dynamics of material excitations, will enable generating quantum states of these material excitations as well as quantum states of light at new frequency ranges. I will further argue that in order to realize much of the promise of this nascent field, there is a need for innovation in the laser systems used to drive these nonlinear dynamics: specifically, innovations in realizing high-power laser sources that have very low noise, having quantum statistics similar to coherent states of light which describe lower intensity laser systems. I will highlight some experimental and theoretical work, in understanding quantum noise dynamics in complex laser systems, that can address these challenges.