Dissipation-assisted few-photon optical diode
Phys. Rev. A 113, 033710 – Published 9 March, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/6pp2-cr94
Abstract
We study the coherent transport of one or two photons in a one-dimensional waveguide chirally coupled to a dissipative nonlinear cavity. The scattering amplitudes are derived analytically. With the assist of dissipation, we can realize an ideal single-photon diode whose transmittance is unity from one side and zero from the other side. A two-photon diode can be realized not only due to the two-photon bound state, but also the plane-wave part without photon correlation because of dissipation. The working area and properties of the two-photon diode are also found. This work details the relation between the diode effect and our system parameters, especially dissipation, which may find applications in nonreciprocal quantum devices and quantum networks.
