Ultrafast dynamics of quantum phase transitions

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Recent discoveries in fundamental physics have led to major technological transformations. For example, the transistor, a device relying on quantum mechanical principles, has allowed electronics to enter many aspects of our daily lives. Other types of quantum devices are now being developed to improve areas such as public health, security and energy consumption efficiency. However, in order to harness the exceptional properties of quantum systems, scientists must first refine experimental techniques to manipulate these volatile states.***Research conducted in my experimental laboratory at the University of Ottawa will focus on improving our general understanding of quantum interactions and will contribute to the development of optical techniques to manipulate them. Most particularly, I will implement new terahertz (THz) optical probing technologies based on a newly developed type of optical fibers and explore two intriguing classes of physical systems. The first one is a coherent state recently demonstrated in semiconductor microstructure samples. It is composed of quasi-particles, exciton-polaritons, which have a dual light-matter nature providing them with unique properties. At low temperatures, these particles collectively reach an exotic state of matter referred to as a Bose-Einstein condensate. This macroscopic quantum state in solids could constitute the main building block for future quantum computation or quantum communication technologies. The second system is observed in strongly correlated materials, in which microscopic interactions drive the formation of intriguing long-range orders. More specifically, samples, made of few atomic layers of these materials, will be used to investigate the formation of exotic phenomena such as superconductivity. While the general properties of these quantum states have already received a lot of attention, little is known about the intrinsic interactions that drive their ultrafast buildup. ***My research program on ultrafast THz spectroscopy of quantum phase transitions will considerably expand Canada's expertise in optical and materials technologies, and contribute to the training of qualified scientists who will become tomorrow's leaders in industry and academia. Important sectors of Canada's economy such as communications, industrial non-destructive evaluation, homeland security, environment and medical science will directly benefit from the sensitive and versatile optical detection tools developed in my laboratory. Furthermore, research breakthroughs in the fundamental areas of Bose-Einstein condensation in solids or high-temperature superconductivity will lead to significant advances in quantum computation, transportation and sensing; hence putting Canada in a leading position for the development of world-changing technologies.