- Open Access
Spatially Resolved Photon Statistics of General Nanophotonic Systems
PRX Quantum 6, 020361 – Published 30 June, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/z3cr-l7pw
Abstract
While experimental measurements of photon correlations have become routine in laboratories, theoretical access to these quantities for the light generated in complex nanophotonic devices remains a major challenge. Current methods are limited to specific simplified cases and lack generality. Here we present a novel method that provides access to photon statistics resolved in space and frequency in arbitrary electromagnetic environments. Within the macroscopic QED framework, we develop a practical tool to compute electric field correlations for complex quantum systems by including lossy two-level systems that act as field detectors within the system. To make the implementation feasible, we use a recently developed multiemitter few-mode quantization method to correctly account for fully retarded light propagation to the detectors. We demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed technique by studying the photon correlations of one and two emitters in close proximity to a plasmonic nanoparticle. The simulations show that even in these relatively simple configurations, the light statistics exhibit a strong angular dependence. These results highlight the importance of going beyond conventional quantum optical approaches to fully capture the analyzed physical effects and enable the study of the quantum light generation in realistic nanophotonic devices.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Popular Summary
Light-matter interfaces are among the most promising platforms for generating light with intrinsically quantum properties. Nanophotonic devices, which confine light to subwavelength volumes, dramatically enhance light-matter interactions and open the door to producing highly nonclassical photon states. However, the complex structure of the electromagnetic field in such systems makes it challenging to theoretically access the photon correlations, quantities traditionally used in quantum optics for the characterization of light properties.
In this work, we introduce a new theoretical framework that overcomes this challenge. To probe the photons at the positions of interest, we include auxiliary two-level systems that act as field detectors, sensing the electric field at their respective locations. To make the problem tractable, the electromagnetic field is mapped onto a network of a few lossy, interacting modes. This approach enables the use of standard quantum optical tools to compute the photon correlations. We apply our framework to a hybrid system consisting of quantum emitters and metallic nanoparticles. Even in these simplified scenarios, the emitted light displays quantum features that depend nontrivially on the position at which it is detected.
The presented techniques and obtained results pave the way to a deeper understanding of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale and open up possibilities for designing novel sources of nonclassical light.
Article Text
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