Ultrafast dynamics of quantum phase transitions

量子相变的超快动力学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2016-04797
• 负责人: Ménard, JeanMichel
• 金额: $ 2.33万
• 依托单位: University of Ottawa
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=709471
• 关键词: Ultrafast; dynamics; quantum; phase; transitions

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.

最近在基础物理学方面的发现导致了重大的技术变革。例如，晶体管，一种依赖于量子力学原理的设备，已经允许电子产品进入我们日常生活的许多方面。其他类型的量子设备现在正在开发，以提高公共健康、安全和能源消费效率等领域。然而，为了利用量子系统的特殊性质，科学家必须首先改进实验技术，以操纵这些挥发性状态。 在我在渥太华大学的实验实验室进行的研究将专注于提高我们对量子相互作用的总体理解，并将有助于开发操纵它们的光学技术。最特别的是，我将基于一种新开发的光纤实现新的太赫兹(THz)光学探测技术，并探索两类有趣的物理系统。第一种是最近在半导体微结构样品中发现的相干态。它由准粒子、激子-极化子组成，具有双重轻物质性质，为它们提供了独特的性质。在低温下，这些粒子共同达到一种被称为玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体的奇异物质状态。固体中的这种宏观量子状态可能构成未来量子计算或量子通信技术的主要组成部分。第二个系统是在强关联材料中观察到的，在该系统中，微观相互作用推动了有趣的长程有序的形成。更具体地说，由这些材料的几个原子层组成的样品将被用来研究超导等奇异现象的形成。虽然这些量子态的一般性质已经受到了很多关注，但人们对驱动它们超快积累的内在相互作用知之甚少。 我的量子相变超快太赫兹光谱研究项目将极大地扩展加拿大在光学和材料技术方面的专业知识，并有助于培养合格的科学家，他们将成为未来工业和学术界的领导者。加拿大经济的重要部门，如通信、工业无损评估、国土安全、环境和医学科学，将直接受益于我的实验室开发的灵敏和多功能的光学探测工具。此外，在固体中的玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚或高温超导的基本领域的研究突破将导致量子计算、传输和传感方面的重大进步；从而使加拿大在发展改变世界的技术方面处于领先地位。