Frontiers of nonlinear quantum optics: from fundamentals to technology

我们的研究探索了非线性光学的新前沿，在量子体制的极端边缘。在那里，我们一个光子一个光子地“构建”相干量子光学非线性，设计出以超快速度塑造量子光子态（如单光子）的非线性响应。这种全新的非线性光学方法是由我们团队对单量子发射器和纳米级光场的控制而实现的。事实上，我们现在可以设计这些来阻止单光子的强非线性响应，将我们带到高阶量子非线性的边缘，在那里多个单独的光子同时与量子物体相互作用。在接下来的五年里，我们将(1)研究新的少体量子现象，在单光子水平上深入了解基本的非线性光-物质相互作用；(2)学习如何利用这些现象在亚纳秒时间尺度上操纵量子态；(3)基于这些有源元件设计可扩展的量子电路。我们的研究将通过为光子量子网络、模拟器甚至计算机提供关键的光子元素，帮助加拿大在全球可行量子技术竞赛中处于领先地位：这些技术将彻底改变我们的沟通方式、发现新药的方式，或者优化我们的经济决策。我们在女王大学量子纳米光子学实验室设计的设备并不是对现有架构的改进，而是基于一种全新的方法，在尺寸、速度和运行能量方面提供了数量级的改进。在创建这些过程中，我们开发了新的光子系统，扩展了对量子世界的基础理论和理解，并教育了下一代量子工程师。这些年轻的科学家将在最先进的纳米制造、实验和理论量子光学以及先进的纳米光子工程方面接受培训，这是一种独特的技能融合，将使他们能够成功并推动加拿大学术和工业部门的创新。

Our research explores a new frontier of nonlinear optics, at the extreme edge of the quantum regime. There, we `build' coherent quantum optical nonlinearities photon-by-photon, designing nonlinear responses that shape quantum photonic states (such as single photons) at ultrafast speeds. This radically new approach to nonlinear optics is made possible by our group's control of both single quantum emitters and nanoscale light fields. In fact, we can now design these to illicit a strong nonlinear response from a single-photon, bringing us to the precipice of higher-order quantum nonlinearities where multiple individual photons simultaneously interact with a quantum object. Over the next five years we will (1) study new few-body quantum phenomena, gaining insight on fundamental nonlinear light-matter interactions at the single-photon level; (2) learn how to exploit these phenomena to manipulate quantum states on sub-nanosecond time scales; (3) design scalable quantum circuits based on these active elements. Our research will help position Canada at the forefront of the worldwide race towards viable quantum technology by providing key photonic elements for photonic quantum networks, simulators and even computers: technologies that are poised to revolutionize the way that we communicate, the way in which we discover new medicines, or how we optimize our economic decision making. The devices engineered at our Quantum Nanophotonics Lab at Queen's University are not improvements over existing architecture, but are rather based on a radically new approach that offers orders-of-magnitude improvement to size, speed and operating energy. In creating these, we develop new photonic systems, expand fundamental theory and understanding of the quantum world and educate the next generation of quantum engineers. These young scientists will be trained in state-of-the-art nanofabrication, experimental and theoretical quantum optics and advanced nanophotonic engineering, a unique blend of skills that will allow them to succeed and drive innovation across the Canadian academic and industrial sectors.