Quantum sensors based on vectorial light matter interaction

偏振结构为光原子相互作用提供了一个很大程度上尚未开发的资源。有了最先进的技术，光场可以按强度、相位和偏振来构造，我们的团队已经开发了产生这种光的复杂技术。在这个项目中，我们将在冷的Rb原子上压印任意的矢量光场，将光学结构转换为原子量子结构，或者更具体地说，将光学偏振转换为原子自旋结构。这将使我们能够探索基本的矢量光-物质相互作用。与光不同，原子受到磁场、重力和加速度的影响，为获得磁力和惯性力的矢量增强型传感器提供了新的途径。该项目与EPSRC的研究主题“光物质相互作用和光学现象”和“量子器件组件和系统”密切相关，更广泛地与量子技术国家战略保持一致。

Polarisation structures present a largely untapped resource for light atom interactions. With state-of-the-art technology, light fields can be structured in their intensity, phase and polarisation, and our group has developed sophisticated techniques for the generation of such light.In this project we will imprint arbitrary vector light fields onto cold rubidium atoms, transferring optical structures to atomic quantum structures, or more specifically, optical polarisation to atomic spin structures. This will allow us to explore fundamental vectorial light-matter interaction. Unlike light, atoms are influenced by magnetic fields, gravity and acceleration, offering new avenues towards vector-enhanced sensors for magnetic and inertial forces.This project closely aligns with the EPSRC research themes "Light matter interaction and optical phenomena" and "Quantum devices components and systems", and more generally with the National Strategy for Quantum Technologies.