Topological Quantum Optics Using Atomlike Emitter Arrays Coupled to Photonic Crystals

Abstract

We propose an experimentally feasible nanophotonic platform for exploring many-body physics in topological quantum optics. Our system is composed of a two-dimensional lattice of nonlinear quantum emitters with optical transitions embedded in a photonic crystal slab. The emitters interact through the guided modes of the photonic crystal, and a uniform magnetic field gives rise to large topological band gaps, robust edge states, and a nearly flat band with a nonzero Chern number. The presence of a topologically nontrivial nearly flat band paves the way for the realization of fractional quantum Hall states and fractional topological insulators in a topological quantum optical setting.