Nonreciprocal photonic quantum router via synthetic magnetism

Abstract

Nonreciprocal photon transmissions at the single-quantum level play crucial roles in optical information processing. Here, we propose to develop a nonreciprocal photonic quantum router via synthetic magnetism, which can route photons of an input quantum state in one direction but block them in the other direction. Our model is based on a superconducting circuit of linearly coupled microwave cavities, and the Lorentz reciprocity is broken by synthesizing an effective magnetic field for photons. As a result, an input quantum signal from a given direction can be delivered on-demand to either of the two output ports, but it from the opposite direction is completely absorbed. Our scheme does not involve strong static magnetic fields and optical nonlinearity for generating the desired optical nonreciprocity. It is, therefore, expected to be a key ingredient for the construction of on-chip quantum networks.