OP: Quantum Optical Physics with Nanophotonics Systems

原子（构成普通物质的粒子）和光通过吸收和发射光子（光的单个量子或粒子）相互作用。这种原子-光子相互作用构成了物理科学中最基本的过程之一，是许多日常现象以及光电子等领域许多器件应用的基础。由于单个原子和单个光子之间的相互作用通常是可以忽略不计的微弱，大多数这些过程和设备都涉及大量原子和强光束。如果建立一个系统，使原子与被限制在非常小的空间内的光相互作用，这种相互作用就可以实现。如此强烈的原子-光子相互作用导致了许多新现象，不仅加深了我们对自然的理解，而且可能构成未来技术的基础。其中包括基于单个光子相互作用的新型晶体管，原子和光子相互交织的新型物质状态，以及能够实现长距离安全通信和超精密量子传感器等进步的强大量子信息系统。目前的研究计划将通过使用精确设计的混合系统来探索新的物理学，该系统将纳米级固体结构与固体中隔离良好的原子和“原子状”特征（色中心）相结合，以限制光。具体来说，目前的项目旨在(1)理解超冷原子和固体原子类系统之间的相互作用，光子被限制在亚波长光子和等离子体结构中；(2)创建和控制非经典光态；(3)在日益复杂的混合量子系统中操纵多原子量子动力学。该项目还将探索新的理论方法，重点关注强相互作用的光子和原子的量子动力学，重点是使用相干和耗散机制来控制量子多体态。所提出的努力不仅将创造新的混合系统，其中量子光学的许多想法可以实现，测试和改进，而且还将为许多应用奠定基础，从实现强大的量子信息系统和在单光子水平上运行的量子光学电路到用于研究复杂系统的纳米级传感器的开发。主要研究人员还将继续通过教学、合作、评论文章、课堂笔记、组织研讨会和暑期学校等方式，开发新的、有效的传播物理知识的方法。为提高市民对科学的认识和认识，我们会把参观本地幼稚园学校等外展活动与座谈会和公开讲座结合起来。

Atoms (the particles that constitutes ordinary matter) and light interact with each other through absorption and emission of photons (individual quanta or particles of light). Such atom-photon interactions constitute one of the most basic processes in physical science, and underlie many everyday phenomena as well as many device applications in areas such as optoelectronics. Most of these processes and devices involve large numbers of atoms and intense beams of light, since the interaction between single atoms and single photons are typically negligibly weak. The interaction can be made substantial if one builds a system in which an atom interacts with light confined in a very small space. Such strong atom-photon interactions lead to many new phenomena that not only deepen our understanding of nature, but may also form the basis of future technologies. These include novel transistors based on individual photons interacting with each other, novel states of matter in which atoms and photons are intertwined with one another, and robust quantum information systems that enable advances such as secure communication over long distances and ultra-precise quantum sensors. The present research program will explore new physics by using precisely engineered hybrid systems that combine nanoscale solid structures for confining light with well-isolated atoms and "atom-like" features (color centers) in solids.Specifically, the present project aims at (1) understanding interactions between ultra-cold atoms and solid-state atom-like systems with photons confined to sub-wavelength photonic and plasmonic structures, (2) creating and controlling non-classical states of light and, (3) manipulating multi-atom quantum dynamics within hybrid quantum systems of increasing complexity. The project will also explore new theoretical approaches that focus on quantum dynamics of strongly interacting photons and atoms, with emphasis on using coherent and dissipative mechanisms to control quantum many-body states. The proposed effort will not only create new hybrid systems where many ideas of quantum optics can be realized, tested, and refined, but also lay the groundwork for a number of applications, ranging from realizations of robust quantum information systems and quantum optical circuits operating at the single photon level to the development of nanoscale sensors for studying complex systems. The principal investigators will also continue to develop new and efficient ways for disseminating physics knowledge through teaching, collaborations, review articles, lecture notes, organization of workshops and summer schools. To enhance the appreciation and understanding of science by the general public, outreach efforts such as visits to local K-12 schools will be combined with colloquia and public talks.