Coupling Quantum Tunneling with Cavity Photons

Abstract

Tunneling Through with a Light Touch Quantum tunneling underpins a host of essential techniques, such as scanning tunneling microscopy and quantum cascade lasers, as well as chemical reactions. The tunneling particles are normally electrons, and control of the tunneling process has generally been by electric fields. By coupling tunneling electrons with cavity photons trapped inside a semiconductor microcavity, Cristofolini et al. (p. 704 , published online 5 April; see the Perspective by Szymańska ) produced mixed states that then allowed direct optical control of the tunneling process. Such an optical-based approach to manipulating and controlling the tunneling process may find applications in quantum information science.