Collaborative Research: Integrated Optics Using Quantum State Control in Alkali Atoms

[05:60 . 02]最近在碱蒸气中的量子干涉方面的工作已经显示出一些引人注目和广为人知的结果。这种原子量子态控制可以将光速降低到每秒几米，将光子的量子态暂时存储在原子介质中，使不透明的介质变得透明，实现少光子或单光子的相位调制和光开关。智力优势：为了将量子干涉从基础物理转向实际设备应用，碱蒸气需要集成到半导体芯片上的光波导中。要做到这一点，需要一个光波导，光在低折射率蒸汽中被引导。这在原子蒸汽中从未实现过，但可以在反谐振反射光学（ARROW）波导中实现。本文将光量子干涉与ARROW波导的设计和制造相结合，开发了一个将碱原子量子干涉用于线性和非线性光学集成光学器件的集成平台。该研究基于加州大学圣克鲁斯分校和杨百翰大学研究人员之间现有的强有力合作，涵盖以下领域：在硅芯片上制造含有空心箭头波导的碱蒸汽，评估波导尺寸的相干性，演示线性和非线性量子干涉效应，以及依赖于芯片上量子态控制的集成光学器件。特别地，非线性光开关在少光子水平上工作的原理证明演示将被追求。更广泛的影响：除了对集成光学和量子光学领域做出贡献外，这项工作还包含了利用加州大学圣克鲁斯分校和杨百翰大学之间合作的强大教育成分。研究生在集成光学、量子光学和器件制造方面的培训将通过对合作大学的长期访问来加强，以接受互补研究领域的培训。在加州大学圣克鲁斯分校，两名来自弱势群体和弱势群体的本科生将在加州大学领导项目下参加为期一年的项目。这些学生还将在杨百翰大学学习半导体制造技术。在杨百翰大学，几名本科生将参与杨百翰大学微加工指导环境项目的制造方面。此外，将安排对社区和地区学院（如犹他谷州立学院）的外展访问，以帮助鼓励学生继续接受教育。

0500602SchmidtRecent work in quantum interference in alkali vapors has shown some spectacular and well-publicized results. This type of atomic quantum state control can be used to reduce the speed of light down to a few meters per second, temporarily store the quantum state of a photon in an atomic medium, render an opaque medium transparent, and realize phase modulation and optical switching with few or single photons. Intellectual Merit: In order to move quantum interference from fundamental physics towards practical device applications, alkali vapors need to be integrated into optical waveguides on a semiconductor chip. To do so, an optical waveguide is required where light is guided in the low-index vapor. This has never been realized in atomic vapor, but can be achieved in antiresonant reflecting optical (ARROW) waveguides.Here, optical quantum interference is combined with design and fabrication of ARROW waveguides to develop an integrated platform for the use of quantum interference in alkali atoms for integrated optical devices in linear and nonlinear optics.The research is based on an existing strong collaboration between researchers at UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University and covers the following areas: Fabrication of alkali vapor containing hollow-core ARROW waveguides on a silicon chip, evaluation of the coherence as a function of waveguide dimensions, demonstration of linear and nonlinear quantum interference effects, and integrated optical devices relying on quantum state control on a chip. In particular, proof-of principle demonstration of a nonlinear optical switch operating at the few-photon level will be pursued. Broader Impact: In addition to contributing to the fields of integrated optics and quantum optics, the work contains a strong educational component taking advantage of the collaboration between UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University. Graduate student training in integrated optics, quantum optics, and device fabrication will be enhanced by extended visits to the partner university to receive training in the complementary research areas. At UC Santa Cruz, two undergraduate students from underrepresented and underprivileged groups will participate in the project for one year under the UC LEADS program. These students will also spend time at BYU to learn semiconductor fabrication techniques. At BYU, several undergraduates will be involved in the fabrication aspects of the projects under the BYU Microfabrication Mentoring Environment program. In addition, outreach visits to community and regional colleges such as Utah Valley State College will be arranged to help encourage students to pursue further education.