Phys.org September 2, 2024 A quantum emitter interacting with photons in a single optical mode constitutes a one-dimensional atom. A coherent and efficiently coupled one-dimensional atom provides a large nonlinearity, enabling photonic quantum gates. Achieving a high coupling efficiency ( factor) and low dephasing is challenging. An international team of researchers (Switzerland, Germany) used a semiconductor quantum dot in an open microcavity as an implementation of a one-dimensional atom. With a weak laser input, they achieved an extinction of 99.2% in transmission and a concomitant bunching in the photon statistics, showcasing the reflection of the single-photon component and the transmission […]