Theory of quantum control of atoms near plasmonic nanostructures

量子控制涉及到使用定制的电磁场来精确操纵量子态的动力学，以达到预期的目标。这项研究方案描述了原子系统量子控制理论研究的创新方案。该计划的目标是1)提高对原子系统量子控制的知识和理解，2)发明新的控制方案，从而引导和指导未来的原子物理实验，以及3)开发纳米等离子体在生物医学技术中的应用。这一提议探索了量子控制的新前沿，即对接近金纳米结构的原子的量子动力学进行相干控制。我们将发展所需的理论和计算方法，以研究在等离子体纳米结构存在的情况下对原子系统的控制。我们将应用这些结果来开发新型的纳米金生物传感器，用于早期疾病生物标志物的检测和诊断。该计划将为研究生、本科生和博士后研究员提供一个极好的跨学科培训环境，提高他们的学术/研究技能和应用技能。这项研究的影响是双重的--通过创新的探索路线促进量子控制知识的发展，以及开发新的生物等离子技术。在开发解决我们的研究问题所需的计算方法的同时，我们还与其他学科的科学家合作，开发纳米等离子在生物医学中的应用。这些研究导致了新的和改进的生物传感器设备的开发，用于糖尿病、肺癌和白血病等疾病的早期诊断。

Quantum control involves the precise manipulation of the dynamics of quantum states using tailored electromagnetic fields in order to achieve a desired goal. This research proposal describes an innovative program of theoretical research on the quantum control of atomic systems. The goals of this program are 1) to advance knowledge and understanding of quantum control of atomic systems, 2) to invent novel control schemes that will lead to and direct future atomic physics experiments, and 3) to develop applications of nanoplasmonics for biomedical technologies. This proposal explores a new frontier in quantum control, namely, the coherent control of the quantum dynamics of atoms that are in close proximity to gold nanostructures. We will develop the theoretical and computational methodologies needed in order to study the control of atomic systems in the presence of plasmonic nanostructures. We will apply these results to develop novel gold nanoparticle biosensors for early disease biomarker detection and diagnosis. This program will provide an excellent, interdisciplinary training environment for graduate and undergraduate students and postdoctoral fellows that enhances both their academic/research skills as well as their application skills.The impact of this research is two-fold - both in the advancement of knowledge in quantum control via an innovative line of inquiry, and in the development of new bioplasmonic technologies. While developing the computational methods needed to address our research problem, we have collaborated with scientists in other disciplines to develop applications of nanoplasmonics in biomedicine. These studies have led to the development of new and improved biosensor devices for early diagnosis of diseases such as diabetes, lung cancer and leukemia.