https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-02018-8
Regular Article
The refractive index of a single three-level atom: quantum state separator
1
Center for Nonlinear Sciences and Department of Physics, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #311427, 76203, Denton, TX, USA
2
Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 45433-7765, Hobson Way, OH, USA
a
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Received:
6
May
2025
Accepted:
10
October
2025
Published online:
21
October
2025
Abstract
In this paper, we study interaction of quantum fields and a single three-level atom placed in the Mach–Zender interferometer. We demonstrate that the phases acquired by quantum fields depend on the number of photons in the quantum states. Notably, the phases differ between single- and two-photon states, enabling the separation of multiphoton states. This finding highlights new applications related to the dispersion of three-level atoms, which are important in advancing quantum information processing and enhancing quantum communication technologies. The results are crucial for long-distance quantum communication and hold potential for developing quantum field-based linear devices such as beam splitters, lenses, and quantum prisms capable of separating different components of quantum fields. The findings can have interesting applications for manipulating and assembling of multiphoton entanglement states.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
