Abstract
Exceptional points (EPs) are singularities in non-Hermitian systems where at least two eigenstates coalesce. They provide additional control over light–matter interactions and can, for example, enhance radiation from ensembles of photonic emitters. Advanced control over the characteristics of single quantum emitters via EPs remains, however, elusive. Here we engineer the quantum vacuum, the lowest energy state of the electromagnetic field, via a chiral EP to shape the spontaneous emission of a single quantum emitter. We develop a heterogeneously integrated lithium niobate-GaAs photonic circuit comprising high-quality quantum emitters, low-loss photonic circuits, electro-optic modulators and piezoelectric actuators. We dynamically tune the clockwise–counterclockwise mode coupling to access EPs, thereby inducing anomalous spontaneous emission dynamics with a sevenfold lifetime modulation (120–850 ps) and tunable chirality. Furthermore, we shape the emission spectra at the single-photon level via an EP-controlled local density of states, generating squared-Lorentzian, Fano-asymmetric and EP-induced transparency emissions. The latter manifests as a suppression of photon emission at zero detuning, arising from the non-Lorentzian optical response characteristics inherent to EP systems. This work unveils uncommon cavity quantum electrodynamics unique to EPs and exemplifies how the concept of non-Hermitian quantum photonics may contribute towards high-performance topological quantum light sources.
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Data availability
The data underlying the figures in this study are available via figshare at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.31046719 (ref. 59). All other data used in this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
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Acknowledgements
This research is supported by the National Key R&D Program (grant no. 2024YFE0102400, H.J.), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant nos. 12374476, Y.C.; 62422503, 12474375, J.W.; 62035017, 92576209, 12361141824, J. Liu and 12474369, R.S.), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (grant nos. 2023B1515120070 and 2024B1515040013, J. Liu), the Guangdong Provincial Quantum Science Strategic Initiative (grant no. GDZX2306003, J. Liu); the Chinese Academy of Sciences Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research (grant no. YSBR-112, J.Z.), the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (grant no. XDB0670303, J.Z.) and the Autonomous Deployment Project of the State Key Laboratory of Materials for Integrated Circuits (grant no. SKLJC-Z2024-B03, J.Z.).
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T.J. and J. Liu supervised the project. Y.C., J.W, J.Z. and R.S. conceived the idea. J.W. and J. Li carried out the theoretical analysis. Y.Y. grew the QD wafer. X.W., K.X., Xueshi Li, J.Z. and Y.C. fabricated the devices. J.W., J. Li and R.S. performed the numerical simulations. Y.C, K.X., Xiao Li and T.Z. built the set-up and characterized the devices. Y.C., J.W., Z.W. and H.J. analysed the data. Y.C. and J. Liu wrote the manuscript with inputs from all authors.
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Extended data
Extended Data Fig. 1 Numerically modeled LDOS spectra upon different phase terms.
(a) The EPIT spectra when φ = 0. (b) The Fano-like spectra when φ = 0.5π. (c) The squared-Lorenzian spectra when φ = π. We set γk = 0 GHz, J = 1 GHz, γk = 1 GHz, r = 1, and Je−βL = 1.
Extended Data Fig. 2 Numerically modeled Purcell factor.
(a) Phase Dependence of Purcell Factor (Fp). Displays the numerically modeled Fp as a function of the external phase φ at zero detuning. It demonstrates a sinusoidal dependence, with a minimum at φ = 0 (EPIT regime) and a maximum at φ = π (squared-Lorentzian regime) (b) Reflectivity and phase map. A 2D plot showing Fp as a function of both mirror field reflectivity (r) and phase (φ).
Extended Data Fig. 3 Schematic of the setup for optical characterizations.
Schematic of the setup for optical characterizations, consisting of four parts: optical setup (a), power control (b), time correlator (c), electric sources (d) and pulse shaper (e). The sample is loaded into a closed-cycle helium bath cryostat. A home-made optical confocal setup is used to measure the PL. The chip is connected to two voltage sources via the vacuum feedthrough, one for phase modulation and the other for strain tuning. Photon collection was performed through a 0.42 NA microscope objective, with the emission pathway comprising sequential optical elements: optical window, two beam splitters, mirror, longpass filter, and bandpass filter, before fiber coupling to an avalanche photon diode or a spectrometer.
Extended Data Fig. 4 Microscope images of two microrings under test.
(a) one with the integrated mirror (that is, at an exceptional surface, ES) and (b) one without (that is, at a diabolic point, DP) as a traditional cavity-QED system.
Extended Data Fig. 5 The lifetimes of two best-performing QDs coupled to EP and DP cavity.
The lifetimes of two best-performing QDs coupled to EP (a) and DP cavity (b). The EP-coupled QD shows a substantially shorter lifetime.
Extended Data Fig. 6 Distribution of the electric field in the structure under semi-steady state.
(a) φ = 0. The CW and CCW waves form a perfect standing wave pattern with the null located at the position of the QD. (b) φ = π/2. The QD sits at the edge of the node of the electric field. The Purcell Factor (PF) enhancement is the same as that of a DP cavity. (c) φ = π. The PF enhancement maximizes as a result of larger field amplitude. Insets show the QD’s position with respect to the field distribution.
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Chen, Y., Wang, X., Li, J. et al. On-chip non-Hermitian cavity quantum electrodynamics. Nat. Nanotechnol. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-026-02132-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-026-02132-1
