QUANLUX · Quantum Nonlinear Optics in Atomic Arrays
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2020-09-01 → 2022-08-31
- EU contribution
- €172,932
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Quantum Nonlinear Optics in Atomic Arrays
Optical and electromagnetic signals in general are the most common carriers to communicate information over long distances, because their elementary constituents (the photons) do not interact with each other in free space, allowing a linear and undistorted propagation. On the other hand, to process the carried information, some form of interaction between the signals is required. This can be achieved when light propagates inside a material, where a nonlinear optical response can allow to achieve such effective optical interaction leading to important applications such as optical modulation and switching, nonlinear spectroscopy, and frequency conversion, commonly used in modern science and engineering. All the mentioned processes usually occur at high light intensities, due to the extremely weak nonlinear optical response of the most common materials, and over the years, many different approaches have been de-veloped among the years to increase the efficiency of such schemes, the most common in-volving cavities, nanophotonics structures and ensembles of Rydberg atoms. Despite the great efforts that have been invested along this research line, significant improvements are still necessary to make a definitive breakthrough and to fully achieve the realm of Quantum Non-linear Optics (QNLO), where nonlinear effects occur at the level of individual photons. This not only enables the realization of nonlinear classical devices operating at the lowest possible intensity levels but also allows the generation and manipulation of non-classical states of light, a task that has become even more timely in light of the emerging field of Quantum Technologies. Furthermore, the perspective to generate and control photon-photon interac-tions brings entirely new possibilities, such as potentially realizing quantum many-body physics with light. QUANLUX aimed to tackle this challenge by identifying novel promising light-matter inter-faces for QNLO protocols and by investigating the complex emergent behavior of strongly interacting photons. These objectives have been achieved via the development of theoretical frameworks and advanced numerical methods capable to solve the many-body problem of multi-photons propagation.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Nonlinear optical processes are at the foundation of many applications in modern science and engineering. The emerging field of Quantum Technologies is now demanding that we push these processes into the realm of Quantum Nonlinear Optics (QNLO) where nonlinear effects occur at the level of individual photons. Achieving such a regime would allow the generation and manipulation of non-classical states of light and would open exciting new scenarios involving quantum many-body physics of light. Despite the great efforts that have been invested along this line of research, significant improvements are still necessary to fully achieve the QNLO regime. QUANLUX aims to tackle this challenge by proposing a novel light-matter interface consisting of ordered atomic arrays as an ideal platform to implement QNLO processes. The ultimate objectives consist in identifying new strategies for QNLO protocols that can possibly surpass previously established performance bounds as well as investigating the complex emergent behaviour of strongly interacting photons. To tackle and solve these demanding problems the fellow will make use of advanced numerical and theoretical techniques developed in condensed matter and many-body physics (e.g. tensor networks and diagrammatic approaches) that will be acquired through dedicated training visits to experts in the field. The proposed dissemination and outreach program will progressively spread the outcome of the action to the scientific community and to the general public reinforcing the impact of the research’s results. The originality and multidisciplinary nature of the proposal have the potential to revolutionize the major paradigms currently used to implement QNLO processes and drive a technological innovation in the construction of light-matter interfaces. The action will be conducted by Giuseppe Calajò who will join the Theoretical Quantum Nanophotonics group lead by Prof. Darrick Chang at ICFO, Spain.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE CIENCIES FOTONIQUES · CastelldefelsCoordinatorSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union