Engineering Quantum Fluctuation Phenomena in Nanoscale Quantum Optical Systems

纳米级量子光学系统通过将光限制在小区域内来提高光与物质相互作用的效率。这样的系统对于无数新兴的量子技术应用是不可或缺的：从构建单光子设备到远距离存储和传输量子信息，再到促进基础物理的精密测试。因此，随着对量子系统小型化的日益努力，既有在纳米尺度上探索量子现象的基本动机，也有开发模块化芯片结构的实际目标，纳米尺度上的原子-表面相互作用成为开发新型量子系统的一个中心方面。然而，当从光子结构连接到纳米尺度的原子时，电磁场无处不在的量子涨落严重限制了捕获和控制原子的能力。这项工作将开发出利用原子系统的集体行为和用激光操纵原子的能力来设计此类量子波动现象--力、耗散和退相干--的方法。克服纳米级量子系统设计中的这些关键挑战，将使量子设备具有新的功能。除了研究目标外，PI还将在令人兴奋的量子科学和工程的交叉点上培养一支多样化的本科生和研究生队伍。作为教育努力的一部分，PI将开发一门关于量子光学和量子信息的多学科高级课程，吸引来自不同科学和工程专业的学生。这项研究将建立一种驱动耗散开放量子系统的方法来工程表面附近集体原子系统中的量子涨落现象-Casimir-Polder力、耗散和退相干，目标是实现对纳米级量子光学系统的更好控制和相干。该计划将建立和推进控制量子涨落现象的新工具，主要有四个方面：(1)通过发展近表面陷阱和冷却方案，在距离表面10-100纳米的地方实现良好控制和相干的原子系统；(2)扩展Casimir物理学和宏观QED的框架，研究可以在量子叠加、纠缠或集体态和外部驱动下制备的物体的涨落现象；(3)指导通过纳米级原子衍射高精度测量Casimir-Polder力的实验，以产生排斥驱动诱导的Casimir-Polder力，并利用集体效应操纵Casimir-Polder力；以及(4)缓解悬浮介电纳米球实验中的波动引起的退相干，以实现悬浮纳米粒子的宏观量子叠加和关联态。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Nanoscale quantum optical systems enhance the efficacy of light-matter interactions by confining light in small regions. Such systems are integral to a myriad of emerging quantum technological applications: from building single-photon devices and storing and transmitting quantum information over long distances, to facilitating precision tests of fundamental physics. Thus, with growing efforts to miniaturize quantum systems, both with the fundamental motivation to explore quantum phenomena at nanoscales and also with the practical goal of developing modular on-chip architectures, atom-surface interactions at nanoscales become a central facet of developing novel quantum systems. However, when interfacing atoms at nanoscales from photonic structures, the ever-present quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field critically limit the ability to trap and control atoms. This work will develop ways to engineer such quantum fluctuation phenomena – forces, dissipation and decoherence – by leveraging the collective behavior of atomic systems and the ability to manipulate atoms with lasers. Overcoming these critical challenges in the design of nanoscale quantum systems will enable novel functionalities for quantum devices. In addition to the research goals, the PI will train a diverse undergraduate and graduate student workforce at the exciting intersection of Quantum Science and Engineering. As a part of the educational efforts, the PI will develop a multidisciplinary senior level course on Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, engaging students from a diverse array of Science and Engineering majors. This research will build a driven-dissipative Open Quantum Systems approach to engineering quantum fluctuation phenomena – Casimir-Polder forces, dissipation and decoherence – in collective atomic systems near surfaces with the goal to achieve better control and coherence of nanoscale quantum optical systems. The proposed program will build and advance new tools to control quantum fluctuation phenomena, with four main thrusts: (1) Realizing well-controlled and coherent atomic systems at distances of 10-100 nanometers from surfaces by developing near-surface trapping and cooling schemes; (2) Extending the framework of Casimir Physics and macroscopic QED to study fluctuation phenomena with objects that can be prepared in quantum superpositions, entangled or collective states and driven externally; (3) Guiding experiments on high-precision measurements of Casimir-Polder forces with atomic diffraction via nanogratings for creating repulsive drive induced Casimir-Polder forces and manipulating Casimir-Polder forces using collective effects; and (4) Mitigating fluctuation-induced decoherence in experiments with levitated dielectric nanospheres, to realize macroscopic quantum superpositions and correlated states of levitated nanoparticles.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.