Quantum-interference-assisted photon blockade in a cavity via parametric interactions

Abstract

We propose a scheme to achieve a strong photon antibunching with a degenerate optical parametric amplifier coupled to a cavity via unconventional photon blockade. The photon blockade occurs as a result of the suppression of two-photon excitation due to a quantum interference effect between different transition paths. Via analytical calculations, we find out the conditions for optimized photon antibunching in terms of parametric gain and the parametric amplifier pump phase. Calculations of second-order correlation function demonstrate strong photon antibunching. The numerical results are compared with the analytical results and both are in complete agreement. Under the optimal parameters, the system can be used to generate sub-Poissonian light.