Hybrid quantum nanophotonics and optomechanics

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One of the most exciting developments in nanoscience has been the rapidly advancing ability of researchers to study physical systems whose behaviour is quantum in nature. For example, nanoscale defects in otherwise perfect crystals have been observed to behave like single atoms, with quantum states that can store information. Equally impressive are studies of nanomechanical objects, whose mechanical behaviour deviates from the laws of classical physics, revealing quantum mechanical uncertainty in position and momentum. Both of these examples use light to observe the quantum effects, and many studies of these systems have only recently become technically possible thanks to advances in development of nanophotonic devices that enhance the interaction between light and the quantum world.*** Members of my group develop nanophotonic devices at the forefront of nano and quantum physics, and use these devices to enhance light-matter interactions necessary to control and observe the quantum properties of nanoscale systems. This research advances our understanding of the optical properties of structures with dimensions smaller than the wavelength of light, as well as our ability to create these structures from a wide range of materials. It also reveals previously unobserved features of nanoscale and quantum systems that in many cases can be used to implement new information processing and sensing technologies.*** This proposal describes my group's vision for creating nanophotonic devices to connect quantum systems that otherwise don't talk to each other. Addressing this challenge will create new tools for building quantum information processing technology and for studying fundamental properties of quantum systems. The proposed research program builds on my group's recent demonstration of diamond devices that allow light to be coupled to both mechanical resonances and to diamond defects that behave like artificial atoms. Specific goals are as follows. A question that I am trying to answer is whether optical control of mechanical resonances can be used to control the quantum state of diamond defects in new ways. I am also trying to use quantum defects to remove mechanical energy from the system, allowing it to be cooled to its motional quantum ground state. In close alignment with these questions, I am proposing to create devices for generating and storing quantum states of light needed by quantum information processing architectures. Additionally, my group has created devices with record sensitivity to fluctuations in the magnetic moment of nanostructures. I am proposing to further develop these devices for detecting high frequency fluctuations, and to probe properties of new classes of materials that are promising for future quantum technologies.**