RAISE-TAQS: Integrated Photonics for Quantum Interfaces of Atoms, Molecules, and Light

与目前可用的经典系统相比，利用量子力学现象的新技术有望在通信、存储和信息处理方面取得变革性的进步。虽然研究实验室已经证明了许多原理上的进步，但量子现象本质上是脆弱的，为现实世界应用开发可靠的系统是该领域的主要挑战之一。这项研究计划将最先进的光学制造技术与激光冷却原子相结合，开发紧凑而坚固的设备，将原子量子存储器与光学光子耦合，以实现安全的量子通信。类似的技术将被用来耦合分子群体。因此，该研究计划将推动量子科学的进步，同时使安全通信系统和量子化学的新技术能够惠及政府和工业部门。由该NSF奖支持的研究和教育活动将有助于对量子技术的劳动力培训和课程材料的开发，以加强未被充分代表的群体在科学和技术方面的参与。该项目将通过两个具体应用来促进用于量子科学的光子技术的最新发展。该小组将设计、制造和测试一种集成的光子器件，该器件包含平面偏光器件、光学光栅和高精细光纤谐振器，以实现用于原子存储器增强量子密钥分配的功能和预对准模块。这项研究将推进用于原子实验的集成光子学的最新水平，并展示量子密码学和通信的新能力。此外，该小组将使用光纤谐振器研究凝聚相分子光谱学和强耦合条件下的反应性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

New technologies that exploit quantum mechanical phenomena promise transformative advances in communication, storage, and processing of information compared to what is possible with currently available, classical systems. While many proof of principle advances have been demonstrated in research laboratories, quantum phenomena are inherently fragile, and developing reliable systems for real world applications is one of the major challenges in the field. This research program will integrate state-of-the-art optical fabrication technologies with laser cooled atoms to develop compact and robust devices that couple atomic quantum memories to optical photons for secure quantum communication. Similar technologies will be used to couple populations of molecules. The research program will thereby advance the progress of quantum science, while enabling new technologies for secure communication systems and quantum chemistry of benefit to government and industrial sectors. Research and education activities supported by this NSF award will contribute to workforce training for quantum technologies and development of course material that will enhance the participation of under-represented groups in science and technology.This project will advance the state of the art of photonic technologies used for quantum science by targeting two specific applications. The group will design, fabricate, and test an integrated photonic device containing planar metaoptics, optical gratings, and high finesse fiber optic resonators in order to implement a functional, and pre-aligned module for atomic memory enhanced quantum key distribution. The research will advance the state of the art in integrated photonics for atomic experiments and demonstrate new capabilities for quantum cryptography and communication. In addition the group will use the fiber resonators for studies of condensed phase molecular spectroscopy and reactivity in the regime of strong coupling.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.