Quantum metasurfaces as probes of vacuum particle content

Abstract: The quantum vacuum of the electromagnetic field is inherently entangled across distinct spatial sub-regions, resulting in entangled particle content across these sub-regions. However, accessing this particle content in a controlled laboratory experiment has remained out of experimental reach. Here we propose to overcome this challenge with a quantum mirror made from a two-dimensional sub-wavelength array of atoms that divides a photonic cavity. The array's response to light is tunable between transmissive and reflective states by a control atom that is excited to a Rydberg state. We find that vacuum photon content from non-perturbative changes of the boundary conditions and therefore distinct spatial sub-regions of the vacuum causes subtle frequency shifts that are accessible to sub-wavelength atom array platforms. This novel approach for probing vacuum particle content stems from the system’s unique ability to create coherent dynamics of superpositions of transmissive and reflective states, providing a quantum-enhanced platform for observing vacuum particle creation from highly non-perturbative boundary condition changes of the electromagnetic field vacuum.

general relativity and quantum cosmologyquantum physics

Audience: advanced learners

( paper )

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Tricontinental Quantum Fundamentals Seminar

Series comments: The Tricontinental Quantum Fundamentals Seminar (3C-QFS) is an online seminar series connecting researchers from Australia, Europe, and America. Our goal is to facilitate discussion between the three continents and bring together those working on foundational topics in relativistic quantum physics, covering but not limited to:

• Measurement, localisation, and causality in relativistic quantum theory
• Energy conditions and quantum inequalities
• Non-locality and observer-dependence of entanglement
• Quantum reference frames and symmetries in quantum theory
• Holography, AdS/CFT, and analogue gravity

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