Ultra-coherent Lasers for the Exploration of Quantum Photonic Nonlinearities

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The requested equipment supports the establishment of a new Quantum Nanophotonics Lab at Queen's University, which continues and builds on a successful and inclusive research program began at the Niels Bohr Institute. Our goal is to build quantum nonlinear optical effects photon-by-photon. To do so, we develop novel nanophotonic systems that enable us to perform challenging quantum optical measurements, advancing scientific knowledge of fundamental quantum light-matter interactions and opening pathways to efficient all-optical control of quantum photonic states. Our research is at the forefront of a rapidly growing international quantum community; rapidly re-establishing our lab in Canada, with support of the requested equipment, is crucial to maintaining this pole position and ensuring the success of the diverse group of scientists that work therein. We request funds for: i. two tunable narrowband lasers to act as sources of ultra-coherent photons and which can be scanned across the whole wavelength range of our quantum emitters; and ii. a high-finesse wavemeter to precisely determine the wavelengths of the photons, which enables active locking and stabilization of the laser outputs. Altogether, this system acts as source of independently tunable signal and control photons, capable of addressing any of our quantum emitters and mapping out the spectral response of each nonlinear interaction. This first-of-its-kind laser system at Queen's is not only integral to our research, but will facilitate collaborative research and development projects within the University and across Canada over the next decade and more. Though young, our research program has already trained a diverse and successful set of young scientists. In three years at the Niels Bohr Institute, 15 HQPs at all levels have worked within this program; all have gone on to either higher level academic positions, including one tenured position in France, or to high-impact positions in industry. Over half of the graduate or post-graduate HQPs have been women or from other under-represented groups, a testament to our active commitment to an inclusive environment. Though only established at Queen's three months ago, our group already contains 4 HQPs and is rapidly expanding. The timely acquisition of the applied-for laser system is critical to their training in a highly in demand skill-set the operation of quantum photonic equipment, advanced nanophotonic design and characterization, and deep knowledge of quantum theory and therefore to their future success in academia or the growing Canadian quantum technology industry.