CAREER: Active Nonlinear Photonics with Applications in Quantum Networks

量子互联网有望改变我们今天所知道的通信和传感，并有可能重新定义信息安全。量子网络将是复杂和异构的，同时对损失非常敏感。在大规模量子网络能够有意义地连接用户、计算机和传感器之前，有几个突出的挑战需要克服。缺乏低损耗和可扩展的量子光器件，如量子光源和量子存储器，是构建大规模量子网络的主要障碍。另一个挑战是量子信息的高效和多路生成、存储和分发（例如纠缠）。此外，网元在工作方式上也应该兼容，例如波长和带宽。本CAREER提案的重点是研究新型固态量子光子器件，并为多路量子通信迈出关键的第一步。PI将研究用于量子网络应用的电磁场与工程材料的非线性相互作用。晶片级绝缘体上铌酸锂（LNOI）材料被提出作为固体光学中心的新宿主，以创建集成平台并研究量子体制下的线性和非线性光物质相互作用。在LNOI晶体中掺入铥（Tm）离子将被认为是控制量子光学信息的主动介质。铌酸锂作为Tm离子的宿主为片上集成和多功能器件的设计提供了机会，其中高速频率调谐和集成非线性为光子信息处理创造了一个多功能平台。基于LNOI的集成光子平台与Tm离子的宽带吸收光谱可以实现多路（或多模）量子信息处理。为了研究这种方法的可行性，PI将研究800nm波长附近的多模光子产生，相干和可逆吸收。他将探索如何通过控制外部电场/磁场和原子之间的空间相干性来设计相互作用的哈密顿量，以优化量子界面。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The quantum internet promises to transform communication and sensing as we know it today with potential to redefine information security. Quantum networks will be complex and heterogeneous while being very sensitive to loss. There are several outstanding challenges that need to be overcome before a large-scale quantum network can meaningfully connect users, computers, and sensors. The lack of low-loss and scalable quantum optical devices such as quantum optical sources and memories is a major obstacle in building a large-scale quantum network. Another challenge is efficient and multiplexed generation, storage and distribution of quantum information (e.g. entanglement). Moreover, network elements should be compatible in terms of operational modes, e.g. wavelength and bandwidth. This CAREER proposal focuses on studying novel solid-state quantum photonic devices and takes key initial steps towards multiplexed quantum communication. The PI will investigate nonlinear interaction of electromagnetic fields with engineered materials for quantum network applications. Wafer-scale Lithium Niobate On Insulator (LNOI) materials are proposed as novel hosts for optical centers in solids to create integrated platforms and study linear and nonlinear light-matter interactions in the quantum regime. Thulium (Tm) ions incorporated into LNOI crystals will be considered as active media for controlling quantum optical information. Lithium niobate as a host for Tm ions provides an opportunity for on-chip integration and design of multifunctional devices where high-speed frequency tuning and integrated nonlinearity creates a versatile platform for photonic information processing. The integrated photonic platform based on LNOI together with the broadband absorption spectrum of Tm ions can enable multiplexed (or multimode) quantum information processing. To investigate the feasibility of this approach, the PI will study multimode photon generation, coherent and reversible absorption near 800nm wavelength. He will explore how the interaction Hamiltonian can be engineered by controlling external electric/magnetic fields and spatial coherence among atoms to optimize the quantum interface.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.