Input-output Analysis of Quantum Finite-level Systems in Response to Single Photon States

Yu Pan, Guofeng Zhang, Matthew R. James

Published 2014-12-03Version 1

Single photon states, which carry quantum information and coherently interact with quantum systems, are vital to the realization of all-optical quantum networks and quantum memory. In this paper we prove the conditions that enable an exact analysis of the response of passive quantum finite-level systems under the weak driving of single photon input. The input-output relations of a class of finite-level systems are found to be similar to those of linear systems. This nonlinear-to-linear transition under single photon driving removes the need for physical approximations such as weak excitation limit in the analysis of quantum nonlinear systems. For example, the response of quantum two-level system to single photon state is analytically calculated without making any physical assumptions. We apply this theory to the analysis of a single photon switch. The input-output relations are consistent with the existing results in the study of few photon transport through finite-level systems.