Two-dimensional regular arrays of atoms are a promising platform for quantum networks, with collective subradiant states providing long-lived storage and collimated emission allowing for natural coherent links between arrays in free space. However, a single-layer lattice can only efficiently absorb or emit light symmetrically in the forward and backward directions. Here we show how a bilayer lattice can absorb a single photon either incident from a single direction or an arbitrary superposition of forward and backward propagating components. The excitation can be stored in a subradiant state, transferred coherently between different subradiant states, and released, again in an arbitrary combination of forward and backward propagating components. We explain the directionality of single and bilayer arrays by a symmetry analysis based on the scattering parities of different multipole radiation components of collective excitations. The collective modes may exhibit the conventional half-wave loss of fields near the array interface or completely eliminate it. The proposed directional control of absorption and emission paves the way for effective one-dimensional quantum communication between multiple arrays, with single-photons propagating backward and forward between quantum information-processing and storage stages.
By analyzing the parameters of electronic transitions, we show how bosonic Sr atoms in planar optical lattices can be engineered to exhibit optical magnetism and other higher-order electromagnetic multipoles that can be harnessed for wavefront control of incident light. Resonant λ 2.6µm light for the 3 D1 → 3 P0 transition mediates cooperative interactions between the atoms while the atoms are trapped in a deeply subwavelength optical lattice. The atoms then exhibit collective excitation eigenmodes, e.g., with a strong cooperative magnetic response at optical frequencies, despite individual atoms having negligible coupling to the magnetic component of light. We provide a detailed scheme to utilize excitations of such cooperative modes consisting of arrays of electromagnetic multipoles to form an atomic Huygens' surface, with complete 2π phase control of transmitted light and almost no reflection, allowing nearly arbitrary wavefront shaping. In the numerical examples, this is achieved by controlling the atomic level shifts of Sr with off-resonant 3 P J → 3 D1 transitions, which results in a simultaneous excitation of arrays of electric dipoles and electric quadrupoles or magnetic dipoles. We demonstrate the wavefront engineering for a Sr array by realizing the steering of an incident beam and generation of a baby-Skyrmion texture in the transmitted light via a topologically nontrivial transition of a Gaussian beam to a Poincaré beam, which contains all possible polarizations in a single cross-section.
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