Quantum Statistical Studies of Superfluorescence and Synchronous Burnham Chiao Ringing in Rare Earth Doped Upconverting Nanoparticles

Superfluorescence (SF) is a collective quantum mechanical optical emission arising from spontaneous phase synchronization between emitters, forming a super dipole coupled with its own radiation field (resulting in the characteristic Burnham Chiao ringing - BCR). In contrast to conventional fluorescence or spontaneous emission from an ensemble of incoherent emitters, SF is characterized by short and intense bursts of coherent light. We lay the groundwork for a potential system where each lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) pair functions like a qubit and the extended coherent state BCR facilitates multi-step computation. We have observed selective control of single pulse SF or BCR and generation and enhancement of synchronous BCR between UCNP pairs as a function of orientation and spacing. Herein, we present preliminary quantum statistical studies that further characterize BCR synchronicity, thereby allowing control of both types of coherent emission over several narrow wavelength bands. This development of intense, short-pulse synchronous sources at room temperature may enable the potential for SF UCNPs to be low-power, on-chip sources with correlated photons for quantum applications and optical encryption.