Ordered atomic arrays trapped in the vicinity of nanoscale waveguides offer original light-matter interfaces, with applications to quantum information and quantum nonlinear optics. Here, we study the decay dynamics of a single collective atomic excitation coupled to a waveguide in different configurations. The atoms are arranged as a linear array and only a segment of them is excited to a superradiant mode and emits light into the waveguide. Additional atomic chains placed on one or both sides play a passive role, either reflecting or absorbing this emission. We show that when varying the geometry, such a one-dimensional atomic system could be able to redirect the emitted light, to directionally reduce or enhance it, and in some cases to localize it in a cavity formed by the atomic mirrors bounding the system.

• Received 13 January 2021
• Accepted 31 March 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.103.043716