Quantum sensors based on vectorial light matter interaction

偏振结构为光原子相互作用提供了大量尚未开发的资源。利用最先进的技术，光场可以在强度，相位和偏振上进行结构，我们的团队已经开发出复杂的技术来产生这种光。在这个项目中，我们将在冷铷原子上刻印任意矢量光场，将光学结构转移到原子量子结构上，或者更具体地说，将光学偏振转移到原子自旋结构上。这将使我们能够探索基本的矢量光-物质相互作用。与光不同，原子受到磁场、重力和加速度的影响，这为磁力和惯性力矢量增强传感器提供了新的途径。该项目与EPSRC的研究主题“光物质相互作用和光现象”和“量子器件组件和系统”密切相关，更广泛地与国家量子技术战略保持一致。

Polarisation structures present a largely untapped resource for light atom interactions. With state-of-the-art technology, light fields can be structured in their intensity, phase and polarisation, and our group has developed sophisticated techniques for the generation of such light.In this project we will imprint arbitrary vector light fields onto cold rubidium atoms, transferring optical structures to atomic quantum structures, or more specifically, optical polarisation to atomic spin structures. This will allow us to explore fundamental vectorial light-matter interaction. Unlike light, atoms are influenced by magnetic fields, gravity and acceleration, offering new avenues towards vector-enhanced sensors for magnetic and inertial forces.This project closely aligns with the EPSRC research themes "Light matter interaction and optical phenomena" and "Quantum devices components and systems", and more generally with the National Strategy for Quantum Technologies.