Atomic quantum technologies: from foundations to applications

正如在世纪早期量子力学发展期间一样，理解原子的结构和行为仍然是今天“第二次量子革命”的关键工具。“原子是最完美的量子物体之一，为一系列量子技术提供了测试平台和技术机会，这些技术将引领社会进入一个拥有安全通信、超精确传感和测量工具以及对物理世界更深入理解的未来。在这项研究计划中，首要目标是利用原子固有的“量子性”来开发和研究量子系统。这些冷的、超冷的甚至是热的原子将被用作量子存储器和量子换能器中存储和操纵量子光信号的介质;这些原子将被凝聚成BEC，并用于研究具有独特拓扑性质的多体量子系统的性质;这些原子将作为介质，电磁场将通过这些介质相互作用，用于量子计量学和量子传感中的新型测量和操纵工具。 虽然这项研究计划的目标背后的动机各不相同，但所有这些都通过一个共同的工具联系在一起：原子物质通过光-物质相互作用得到了很好的控制，包括量子力学阶段，当光与原子相互作用时，量子力学阶段可以被印记或读出。本研究计划的目标包括i）开发和表征基于“ATS协议”的原子量子存储器（首先在我们的实验室开发），包括通过增加更高带宽、更长存储时间和多模容量的功能使其越来越实用; ii）开发用于在超冷量子气体中实现非平凡拓扑操作的工具和技术（玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚），包括研究在系统内部和与环境的相互作用引起退相干的情况下如何保持量子性;以及iii）开发将原子量子技术从实验室带到现实世界应用的技术，特别是对于原子-微波相互作用很重要的系统。这一（iii）目标包括使用室温蒸气的近期技术和将冷原子技术与低温技术相结合的混合量子系统中的长期可能性。通过在这项研究计划中从事量子技术的前沿工作，从事这项工作的HQP将发展参与新兴量子经济所需的语言，技能和经验，为所有人提供工业和学术职业选择。凭借他们的专业知识和该计划的成果，他们将帮助新技术商业化，开发新的想法，并加深我们对量子世界的理解，所有这些都是加拿大在全球量子社区中发挥领导作用的一部分。

As it was during the development of quantum mechanics in the early twentieth century, understanding the structure and behaviour of atoms remains a key tool in today's "second quantum revolution." Atoms are some of the most perfect quantum objects, and provide both a test-bed and a technological opportunity for a suite of quantum technologies will lead society into a future with secure communications, ultra-precise sensing and measurement tools, and a deeper understanding of the physical world. In this research programme, the overarching objective is to harness the inherent "quantumness" of atoms to develop and study quantum systems. These atoms -- cold, ultracold, and even warm -- will be used as the medium in which quantum optical signals are stored and manipulated for quantum memories and quantum transducers; these atoms will be condensed as BECs and used to study the properties of many-body quantum systems with unique topological properties; and these atoms will serve as the medium through which electromagnetic fields will interact for novel measurement and manipulation tools in quantum metrology and quantum sensing. Though the motivations behind the objectives in this research programme vary, all are linked together by a common tool: atomic matter is exquisitely well controlled through the light-matter interaction, inclusive of the quantum mechanical phase, which can be imprinted or read out as light interacts with atoms. The objectives of this research program include i) developing and characterising an atomic quantum memory based on the "ATS protocol" (first developed in our lab), including making it more and more practical through the addition of capabilities for higher bandwidth, longer storage times, and multimode capacity; ii) developing tools and techniques for implementing non-trivial topological operations in an ultracold quantum gas (Bose-Einstein condensate), including studies of how quantumness can be preserved in the face of decoherence induced by interactions within the system and with the environment; and iii) developing technologies that take atomic quantum technologies out of the lab and into real-world applications, especially for systems where atom-microwave interactions are important. This (iii) objective includes near-term technologies using room-temperature vapours and longer-term possibilities in a hybrid quantum system that integrates cold atom technologies with cryogenic technologies. Through working at the cutting edge of quantum technologies in this research program, the HQP who do this work will develop the language, skills, and experience necessary to participate in a burgeoning quantum economy, with both industrial and and academic career options for all. With their expertise and the results of this programme, they will help commercialize new technologies, develop new ideas, and deepen our understanding of the quantum world, all as part of growing Canada's leading role in the worldwide quantum community.