Quantum Optical Physics with Nanophotonic Systems

该研究计划旨在探索量子光学和纳米科学界面上受控量子系统的基础物理和潜在应用。该计划涉及理论和实验之间的协同作用。这项工作利用具有亚波长光辐射定位的纳米光子平台来探索孤立的AMO-like系统和固态系统之间的界面。其目的是理解和控制原子和光子之间的相互作用，并利用光子和原子开发新的混合量子系统。具体地说，一个新的系统腔QED，其中光子晶体腔和波导确定性耦合到类原子的固态缺陷，所谓的氮空位（NV）在金刚石中心，将实施。该系统将用于基础腔QED研究，在单光子水平上的非线性光学现象的调查，并用于探索光子和多个NV中心之间的强耦合。此外，将使用纳米光子系统来研究单个中性原子和纳米级固态系统之间的界面。该界面通过尖锐的金属纳米尖端产生的强近场光学捕获原子来实现。该研究小组将研究这种新颖的捕获技术的独特性质，研究孤立原子与纳米级光学等离子体激元之间的辐射相互作用，并探索混合AMO-固态量子系统的新实现。该项目的理论研究集中在亚波长尺度上的原子-光子相互作用的基本理解，研究使用纳米光子系统探索原子-原子相互作用的新机制，并研究一维波导中强相互作用原子-光子系统的量子动力学。重点是使用相干和耗散机制来控制多体系统的量子态。除了支持该小组自己的实验工作，理论工作将为新的研究项目和方向提供“种子”。最后，该小组将研究应用，从量子信息系统到亚微米集成光学电路和纳米级传感器，用于监测复杂生物物理过程的动态。更广泛的影响包括物理科学的一个新的跨学科领域的发展。这项工作为受控的复杂量子系统的基础物理学提供了重要的见解。将开发新的工具，利用相干量子现象的应用范围从信息科学到生物学和医学。这个合作计划提供了教育和培训的机会，在基础物理，材料科学和设备工程的接口。外联活动包括一项将俄罗斯年轻科学家带到哈佛的计划，从而为他们提供一个参与尖端研究并使他们接触美国教育系统的独特机会。该小组还将继续开发新的和有效的方法，通过教学传播物理知识。

This research program is aimed at exploring fundamental physics and potential applications of controlled quantum systems at the interface of quantum optics and nano-science. The program involves the synergistic interplay between theory and experiment. The work makes use of nanophotonic platforms featuring sub-wavelength localization of optical radiation to explore the interfaces between isolated AMO-like systems and solid-state systems. The aim is to understand and control interactions between atoms and photons confined to sub-wavelength dimensions and to develop new hybrid quantum systems using photons and atoms. Specifically, a novel system for cavity QED, in which photonic crystal cavities and waveguides are deterministically coupled to atom-like solid state defects, the so-called nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, will be implemented. This system will be used for fundamental cavity QED studies, for investigation of nonlinear optical phenomena at a single photon level, and for exploration of strong coupling between photons and multiple NV centers. In addition, use will be made of nanophotonic systems to investigate the interface between individual neutral atoms and nanoscale solid-state systems. The interface is enabled by optically trapping the atom via the strong near-field generated by a sharp metallic nanotip. The group will investigate unique properties of this novel trapping technique, study radiative interactions between isolated atoms and nanoscale optical plasmons and explore novel realizations of hybrid AMO-solid state quantum systems.Theoretical research within the project focuses on fundamental understanding of atom-photon interactions at sub-wavelength scales, investigating the use of nanophotonic systems for exploring novel regimes of atom-atom interactions and studying the quantum dynamics of strongly interacting atom-photon systems in one dimensional waveguides. The emphasis is on using coherent and dissipative mechanisms to control the quantum states of many-body systems. In addition to supporting the group's own experimental efforts, the theoretical work will provide 'seeds' for new research projects and directions. Finally, the group will study applications, ranging from quantum information systems to sub-micron integrated optical circuits and nanoscale sensors for monitoring dynamics of complex biophysical processes. The Broader impacts include development of a new, interdisciplinary area of physical sciences. This work provides critical insights into the fundamental physics of controlled, complex quantum systems. New tools will be developed that make use of coherent quantum phenomena for applications ranging from information science to biology and medicine. This collaborative program provides opportunities for education and training in at the interface of fundamental physics, material science, and device engineering. Outreach activities include a program to bring young Russian scientists to Harvard, thus providing them with a unique opportunity to become involved in cutting-edge research and exposing them to the US educational system. The group will also continue to develop new and efficient ways for dissemination of physics knowledge through teaching.