Generation of atomic NOON states via adiabatic passage

Abstract

We propose a scheme for generating atomic NOON states via adiabatic passage. In the scheme, a double $$\Lambda $$ -type three-level atom is trapped in a bimodal cavity, and two sets of $$\Lambda $$ -type three-level atoms are translated into and outside of two single-mode cavities, respectively. The three cavities connected by optical fibers are always in vacuum states. After a series of operations and suitable interaction time, we can obtain arbitrary large- $$n$$ NOON states of two sets of $$\Lambda $$ -type three-level atoms in distant cavities by performing a single projective measurement on the double $$\Lambda $$ -type three-level atom. Our scheme is robust against the spontaneous emissions of atoms, the decays of fibers, and photon leakage of cavities, due to the adiabatic elimination of atomic excited states and the application of adiabatic passage.