Collaborative Research: Integrated Optics Using Quantum State Control in Alkali Atoms

0500602施密特最近在碱蒸汽中的量子干涉方面的工作已经显示出一些引人注目的和广为人知的结果。这种类型的原子量子态控制可以用于将光速降低到每秒几米，将光子的量子态暂时存储在原子介质中，使不透明介质透明，并实现相位调制和光开关。智力优势：为了将量子干涉从基础物理学转移到实际设备应用中，需要将碱蒸汽集成到半导体芯片上的光波导中。为此，需要光波导，其中光在低折射率蒸汽中被引导。这从未在原子蒸气中实现，但可以在反共振反射光（ARROW）波导中实现。光学量子干涉与ARROW波导的设计和制造相结合，开发了一个集成平台，用于在线性和非线性光学中集成光学器件的碱原子中使用量子干涉。该研究是基于加州大学圣克鲁斯研究人员之间现有的强有力的合作与杨百翰大学合作，涵盖以下领域：在硅芯片上制造含空芯ARROW波导的碱蒸汽，评估波导尺寸的相干性，演示线性和非线性量子干涉效应，以及依赖于芯片上量子态控制的集成光学器件。特别是，将追求的非线性光学开关在少光子水平上运行的原理论证。更广泛的影响：除了对集成光学和量子光学领域做出贡献外，这项工作还利用了加州大学圣克鲁斯和杨百翰大学之间的合作，包含了强大的教育成分。研究生在集成光学，量子光学和器件制造方面的培训将通过扩大对合作大学的访问来加强，以接受互补研究领域的培训。在加州大学圣克鲁斯，两名来自代表性不足和弱势群体的本科生将参加加州大学领导计划下的项目一年。这些学生还将在杨百翰大学学习半导体制造技术。在杨百翰大学，几个本科生将参与杨百翰大学微制造指导环境计划下的项目的制造方面。此外，还将安排外展访问社区和区域学院，如犹他州山谷州立学院，以帮助鼓励学生继续深造。

0500602SchmidtRecent work in quantum interference in alkali vapors has shown some spectacular and well-publicized results. This type of atomic quantum state control can be used to reduce the speed of light down to a few meters per second, temporarily store the quantum state of a photon in an atomic medium, render an opaque medium transparent, and realize phase modulation and optical switching with few or single photons. Intellectual Merit: In order to move quantum interference from fundamental physics towards practical device applications, alkali vapors need to be integrated into optical waveguides on a semiconductor chip. To do so, an optical waveguide is required where light is guided in the low-index vapor. This has never been realized in atomic vapor, but can be achieved in antiresonant reflecting optical (ARROW) waveguides.Here, optical quantum interference is combined with design and fabrication of ARROW waveguides to develop an integrated platform for the use of quantum interference in alkali atoms for integrated optical devices in linear and nonlinear optics.The research is based on an existing strong collaboration between researchers at UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University and covers the following areas: Fabrication of alkali vapor containing hollow-core ARROW waveguides on a silicon chip, evaluation of the coherence as a function of waveguide dimensions, demonstration of linear and nonlinear quantum interference effects, and integrated optical devices relying on quantum state control on a chip. In particular, proof-of principle demonstration of a nonlinear optical switch operating at the few-photon level will be pursued. Broader Impact: In addition to contributing to the fields of integrated optics and quantum optics, the work contains a strong educational component taking advantage of the collaboration between UC Santa Cruz and Brigham Young University. Graduate student training in integrated optics, quantum optics, and device fabrication will be enhanced by extended visits to the partner university to receive training in the complementary research areas. At UC Santa Cruz, two undergraduate students from underrepresented and underprivileged groups will participate in the project for one year under the UC LEADS program. These students will also spend time at BYU to learn semiconductor fabrication techniques. At BYU, several undergraduates will be involved in the fabrication aspects of the projects under the BYU Microfabrication Mentoring Environment program. In addition, outreach visits to community and regional colleges such as Utah Valley State College will be arranged to help encourage students to pursue further education.