Nonclassical radiation from a nonlinear oscillator driven solely by classical $1/f$ noise

Abstract

Low-frequency classical $1/f$-noise and quantum noise from low-temperature phonon modes are ubiquitous across various experimental platforms, and are usually considered a hindrance for quantum technological applications. Here we show that the simultaneous action of classical $1/f$ noise and a low-temperature phonon bath on a nonlinear oscillator can result in the generation of nonclassical antibunched radiation without the need for any additional drive. The $1/f$ noise itself provides the source of energy for generation of photons, while the phonon bath prevents heating up to infinite temperature and takes the nonlinear oscillator to a noise-averaged non-equilibrium steady state. The photon current in this non-equilibrium steady state may be detected by a standard wide-band detector. For sufficient nonlinearity and frequency dependence of the effective noise spectrum, the detected radiation can be antibunched. This opens the possibility to turn two of the most ubiquitous intrinsic noises in experimental platforms from a hindrance to a resource. It shows that wasteful heat from unavoidable noises can be converted into useful radiation. These results are based on the Redfield equation, which provides a rigorously derived general approach to treat any type of weak noise in a quantum system, specified only via the noise spectral function, as we discuss in detail.