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

霍金斯最近在碱蒸汽中的量子干涉方面的工作已经显示出一些壮观的和广为人知的结果。这种类型的原子量子态控制可以用来将光速降低到几米每秒，将光子的量子态暂时存储在原子介质中，使不透明的介质变得透明，并利用很少或单个光子实现相位调制和光学开关。智能优势：为了将量子干涉从基础物理应用到实际设备应用，需要将碱蒸汽集成到半导体芯片上的光波导中。要做到这一点，需要一个光波导，光在低折射率蒸汽中被引导。这一点在原子蒸气中从未实现，但可以在反共振反射光(ARROW)光波导中实现。这里，光量子干涉与ARROW光波导的设计和制造相结合，开发了一个将碱原子中的量子干涉用于线性和非线性光学集成器件的集成平台。该研究基于加州大学圣克鲁斯分校和杨百翰大学研究人员之间现有的密切合作，涵盖以下领域：在硅芯片上制作含有空芯ARROW光波导的碱蒸气，作为波导尺寸的函数的相干性的评估，线性和非线性量子干涉效应的演示，以及依赖于芯片上的量子态控制的集成光学设备。特别是，将进行工作在少光子水平的非线性光开关的原理证明。更广泛的影响：除了对集成光学和量子光学领域的贡献外，这项工作还包含一个强大的教育组成部分，利用加州大学圣克鲁斯分校和杨百翰大学之间的合作。通过延长对合作大学的访问，接受互补研究领域的培训，集成光学、量子光学和器件制造方面的研究生培训将得到加强。在加州大学圣克鲁斯分校，来自代表不足和弱势群体的两名本科生将根据加州大学领导班子计划参加为期一年的项目。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，几名本科生将参与杨百翰大学微制造指导环境项目下的制造方面的工作。此外，还将安排外展访问社区和地区学院，如犹他谷州立学院，以帮助鼓励学生继续深造。

0500670HawkinsRecent 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.