Super-resolution and quantum anomalies

此次合作的目标是了解超分辨透镜的基本物理原理，从而设计出能够成像亚波长结构的新型透镜。这种透镜对量子技术很重要，因为它们允许单个原子量子比特以近乎完美的方式与光耦合。它们还将应用于量子传感和生命科学。我们希望研究的一个透镜是麦克斯韦鱼眼透镜（MFEL）。根据几何光学，这是一个完美的透镜。然而，MFEL的波动理论是有争议的，似乎需要一个耗散（非厄米）元素。利用与量子粒子在尺度自由势中的行为的密切类比，我们将把量子尺度异常的方法应用于这个问题。我们的合作将汇集伯明翰大学在奇异光学方面的专业团队和麦克马斯特大学在量子异常方面的经验团队。伯明翰是英国传感器和定时量子技术中心的所在地，也是拓扑学博士培训中心。所有这些结合起来，将为学生提供提案领域的大量专业知识和优秀的培训机会。

The goal of the proposed collaboration is to understand the fundamental physics underlying super-resolving lenses so that new types can be designed that are capable of imaging subwavelength structures. Such lenses are important for quantum technology because they allow individual atomic qubits to be coupled by light in a near perfect fashion. They will also have applications in quantum sensing and the life sciences. One lens we wish to investigate is Maxwell's Fish Eye Lens (MFEL). According to geometric optics this is a perfect lens. However, the wave theory of the MFEL is controversial and seems to require a dissipative (non-hermitian) element. Using a close analogy to the behaviour of quantum particles in scale free potentials, we will bring the methods of quantum scale anomalies to bear on this problem. Our collaboration will bring together a team from the University of Birmingham that has expertise in singular optics with a team from McMaster that has experience in quantum anomalies. Birmingham hosts the UK's Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Timing and also a Centre for Doctoral Training on topology. All combined this will provide a large amount of expertise in the area of the proposal and excellent training opportunities for students.