Optical quantum states based on hot atomic ensembles and their applications

The four-wave mixing process in atomic ensembles has many important applications in quantum information. We review recent progress on the generation of optical quantum states from the four-wave mixing process in hot atomic ensembles, including the production of two-beam, multi-beam, and multiplexed quantum correlated or entangled states. We also review the applications of these optical quantum states in implementing quantum information protocols, constructing SU(1,1) quantum interferometers, and realizing quantum plasmonic sensing. These applications indicate that the four-wave mixing process in hot atomic ensembles is a promising platform for quantum information processing, especially for implementing all-optical quantum information protocols, constructing SU(1,1) interferometers, and realizing quantum sensing.