Abstract

We show that nonreciprocal unidirectional single-photon quantum transport can be achieved with the photonic Aharonov–Bohm effect. The system consists of a 1D waveguide coupling to two three-level atoms of the $V$-type. The two atoms, in addition, are each driven by an external coherent field. We show that the phase of the external coherent field provides a gauge potential for the photon states. With a proper choice of the phase difference between the two coherent fields, the transport of a single photon can exhibit unity contrast in its transmissions for the two propagation directions.

© 2015 Optical Society of America

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