The foundation for this research lies in stimulated light emission, a concept first introduced by Albert Einstein in 1916. This theory explains how photons can initiate the emission of other photons from atoms and eventually led to the invention of the laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation). While this principle has been well-understood for large numbers of photons, the new study allows scientists to observe and manipulate stimulated emission at the single-photon level for the first time.
The research team measured the time delay between one photon and a pair of bound photons as they scattered off a single quantum dot, an artificially created atom-like structure. "This opens the door to the manipulation of what we can call 'quantum light,'" said Sahand Mahmoodian, a researcher at the University of Sydney School of Physics and co-lead author of the study.
The interaction between light and matter continues to provide researchers with opportunities to develop practical applications based on theoretical knowledge. These applications range from high-speed communication networks to advanced computing and GPS systems, as well as medical imaging. For instance, photons that do not readily interact with one another can be utilized in communication systems to enable near distortion-free information transfer at the speed of light.
However, in some cases, it is desirable for light to interact with other light particles. Achieving this at the single-photon quantum level has long been a challenge for scientists. To overcome this hurdle, the research team developed a novel device that could induce strong interactions between photons. This innovative device enabled the researchers to observe the difference in time delay between one photon and a bound pair of photons as they scattered off a quantum dot, providing valuable insights into the complex world of quantum technology.
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