OP: Quantum Optical Physics with Nanophotonics Systems

OP：量子光学物理与纳米光子系统

• 批准号: 1506284
• 负责人: Mikhail Lukin
• 金额: $ 150.65万
• 依托单位: Harvard University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-09-15 至 2020-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1506284&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: OP; Quantum; Optical; Physics; Nanophotonics

Atoms (the particles that constitutes ordinary matter) and light interact with each other through absorption and emission of photons (individual quanta or particles of light). Such atom-photon interactions constitute one of the most basic processes in physical science, and underlie many everyday phenomena as well as many device applications in areas such as optoelectronics. Most of these processes and devices involve large numbers of atoms and intense beams of light, since the interaction between single atoms and single photons are typically negligibly weak. The interaction can be made substantial if one builds a system in which an atom interacts with light confined in a very small space. Such strong atom-photon interactions lead to many new phenomena that not only deepen our understanding of nature, but may also form the basis of future technologies. These include novel transistors based on individual photons interacting with each other, novel states of matter in which atoms and photons are intertwined with one another, and robust quantum information systems that enable advances such as secure communication over long distances and ultra-precise quantum sensors. The present research program will explore new physics by using precisely engineered hybrid systems that combine nanoscale solid structures for confining light with well-isolated atoms and "atom-like" features (color centers) in solids.Specifically, the present project aims at (1) understanding interactions between ultra-cold atoms and solid-state atom-like systems with photons confined to sub-wavelength photonic and plasmonic structures, (2) creating and controlling non-classical states of light and, (3) manipulating multi-atom quantum dynamics within hybrid quantum systems of increasing complexity. The project will also explore new theoretical approaches that focus on quantum dynamics of strongly interacting photons and atoms, with emphasis on using coherent and dissipative mechanisms to control quantum many-body states. The proposed effort will not only create new hybrid systems where many ideas of quantum optics can be realized, tested, and refined, but also lay the groundwork for a number of applications, ranging from realizations of robust quantum information systems and quantum optical circuits operating at the single photon level to the development of nanoscale sensors for studying complex systems. The principal investigators will also continue to develop new and efficient ways for disseminating physics knowledge through teaching, collaborations, review articles, lecture notes, organization of workshops and summer schools. To enhance the appreciation and understanding of science by the general public, outreach efforts such as visits to local K-12 schools will be combined with colloquia and public talks.

原子（构成普通物质的粒子）和光通过吸收和发射光子（光的单个量子或粒子）相互作用。这种原子-光子相互作用构成了物理科学中最基本的过程之一，并且是许多日常现象以及光电子学等领域中许多器件应用的基础。这些过程和设备中的大多数涉及大量的原子和强光束，因为单个原子和单个光子之间的相互作用通常是可以忽略不计的。如果我们建立一个系统，在这个系统中，一个原子与被限制在一个非常小的空间中的光相互作用，那么这种相互作用就可以变得很重要。这种强烈的原子-光子相互作用导致了许多新现象，不仅加深了我们对自然的理解，而且可能成为未来技术的基础。其中包括基于单个光子相互作用的新型晶体管，原子和光子相互交织的新型物质状态，以及强大的量子信息系统，这些系统可以实现长距离安全通信和超精确量子传感器等进步。目前的研究计划将通过使用精确设计的混合系统来探索新的物理学，该混合系统将联合收割机纳米级固体结构与隔离良好的原子和“类原子”特征结合起来，以限制光具体而言，本项目旨在（1）理解超冷原子与固态类原子系统之间的相互作用，其中光子被限制在亚波长光子和等离子体结构中，（2）创建和控制光的非经典状态，以及（3）在日益复杂的混合量子系统内操纵多原子量子动力学。该项目还将探索新的理论方法，重点是强相互作用光子和原子的量子动力学，重点是使用相干和耗散机制来控制量子多体状态。拟议的努力不仅将创建新的混合系统，其中许多量子光学的想法可以实现，测试和改进，而且还为许多应用奠定了基础，从实现强大的量子信息系统和量子光学电路在单光子水平上运行到开发用于研究复杂系统的纳米级传感器。主要研究人员还将继续开发新的和有效的方法，通过教学，合作，评论文章，讲座笔记，组织研讨会和暑期学校传播物理知识。为提高公众对科学的欣赏和了解，教育署会将外展工作，例如探访本地幼儿园至12年级学校，与座谈会和公开讲座结合起来。