Ultrafast dynamics of quantum phase transitions

基础物理学的最新发现导致了重大的技术变革。例如，晶体管，一种依赖于量子力学原理的器件，使电子产品进入了我们日常生活的许多方面。目前正在开发其他类型的量子设备，以改善公共卫生、安全和能源消耗效率等领域。然而，为了利用量子系统的特殊性质，科学家必须首先改进实验技术来操纵这些易失性状态。我在渥太华大学的实验室进行的研究将集中在提高我们对量子相互作用的一般理解上，并将有助于操纵它们的光学技术的发展。最特别的是，我将基于一种新开发的光纤实现新的太赫兹（THz）光学探测技术，并探索两类有趣的物理系统。第一种是最近在半导体微结构样品中发现的相干态。它是由准粒子，激子极化激元，其中有一个双重的轻物质性质提供了他们独特的属性。在低温下，这些粒子集体达到一种奇异的物质状态，称为玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚。固体中的这种宏观量子态可能构成未来量子计算或量子通信技术的主要组成部分。第二个系统是在强相关材料中观察到的，其中微观相互作用驱动了有趣的长程有序的形成。更具体地说，由这些材料的几个原子层制成的样品将用于研究超导性等奇异现象的形成。虽然这些量子态的一般性质已经受到了很多关注，但人们对驱动其超快积累的内在相互作用知之甚少。* 我对量子相变的超快太赫兹光谱学的研究计划将大大扩展加拿大在光学和材料技术方面的专业知识，并有助于培养合格的科学家，他们将成为未来工业和学术界的领导者。加拿大经济的重要部门，如通信，工业无损评估，国土安全，环境和医学科学将直接受益于我的实验室开发的灵敏和多功能的光学检测工具。此外，在固体中的玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚或高温超导性的基本领域的研究突破将导致量子计算、运输和传感方面的重大进展;从而使加拿大在发展改变世界的技术方面处于领先地位。

Recent discoveries in fundamental physics have led to major technological transformations. For example, the transistor, a device relying on quantum mechanical principles, has allowed electronics to enter many aspects of our daily lives. Other types of quantum devices are now being developed to improve areas such as public health, security and energy consumption efficiency. However, in order to harness the exceptional properties of quantum systems, scientists must first refine experimental techniques to manipulate these volatile states.***Research conducted in my experimental laboratory at the University of Ottawa will focus on improving our general understanding of quantum interactions and will contribute to the development of optical techniques to manipulate them. Most particularly, I will implement new terahertz (THz) optical probing technologies based on a newly developed type of optical fibers and explore two intriguing classes of physical systems. The first one is a coherent state recently demonstrated in semiconductor microstructure samples. It is composed of quasi-particles, exciton-polaritons, which have a dual light-matter nature providing them with unique properties. At low temperatures, these particles collectively reach an exotic state of matter referred to as a Bose-Einstein condensate. This macroscopic quantum state in solids could constitute the main building block for future quantum computation or quantum communication technologies. The second system is observed in strongly correlated materials, in which microscopic interactions drive the formation of intriguing long-range orders. More specifically, samples, made of few atomic layers of these materials, will be used to investigate the formation of exotic phenomena such as superconductivity. While the general properties of these quantum states have already received a lot of attention, little is known about the intrinsic interactions that drive their ultrafast buildup. ***My research program on ultrafast THz spectroscopy of quantum phase transitions will considerably expand Canada's expertise in optical and materials technologies, and contribute to the training of qualified scientists who will become tomorrow's leaders in industry and academia. Important sectors of Canada's economy such as communications, industrial non-destructive evaluation, homeland security, environment and medical science will directly benefit from the sensitive and versatile optical detection tools developed in my laboratory. Furthermore, research breakthroughs in the fundamental areas of Bose-Einstein condensation in solids or high-temperature superconductivity will lead to significant advances in quantum computation, transportation and sensing; hence putting Canada in a leading position for the development of world-changing technologies.