NanoAtom | Quantum Optical Physics with Neutral-Atom Waveguide-QED

Summary
The coupling of cold atoms to nanophotonic devices has recently opened a variety of novel opportunities for controlling light-matter interactions. Tailored dispersion relations offer unique features beyond conventional settings. In particular, photonic-crystal waveguides enable tight transverse confinement of the propagating light, strong atom-photon coupling in single pass and tunable long-range atom-atom interactions. While this research area is extensively studied theoretically, experimental progress has been much more modest. This project aims at turning the emerging neutral-atom waveguide-QED paradigm into a mature field.

The primary challenge will be to develop a versatile apparatus where ensembles of cold atoms can be trapped in the proximity of slow-mode photonic-crystal waveguides, using a specific material, original structure designs and novel atom-delivery techniques. The main project objectives are then threefold:

- The demonstration of deterministic photon-photon interaction in a lossless single-pass configuration and its application to efficient quantum state engineering
- The realization of multiphoton-state engineering via atomic entangled states and subradiant and superradiant dynamics.
- The exploration of a novel “bandgap physics” uniquely accessible with the developed photonic-crystal platform for strong atom-atom and photon-photon interactions.

The successful realization of the project based upon the interdisciplinary interface of cold atoms and nanoscale waveguides could elevate this approach to a new route for strongly interacting photons and atoms, with unique possibilities for integrated quantum technologies, quantum non-linear optics as well as for many-body quantum physics.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101097755
Start date: 01-10-2023
End date: 30-09-2028
Total budget - Public funding: 2 498 750,00 Euro - 2 498 750,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

The coupling of cold atoms to nanophotonic devices has recently opened a variety of novel opportunities for controlling light-matter interactions. Tailored dispersion relations offer unique features beyond conventional settings. In particular, photonic-crystal waveguides enable tight transverse confinement of the propagating light, strong atom-photon coupling in single pass and tunable long-range atom-atom interactions. While this research area is extensively studied theoretically, experimental progress has been much more modest. This project aims at turning the emerging neutral-atom waveguide-QED paradigm into a mature field.

The primary challenge will be to develop a versatile apparatus where ensembles of cold atoms can be trapped in the proximity of slow-mode photonic-crystal waveguides, using a specific material, original structure designs and novel atom-delivery techniques. The main project objectives are then threefold:

- The demonstration of deterministic photon-photon interaction in a lossless single-pass configuration and its application to efficient quantum state engineering
- The realization of multiphoton-state engineering via atomic entangled states and subradiant and superradiant dynamics.
- The exploration of a novel “bandgap physics” uniquely accessible with the developed photonic-crystal platform for strong atom-atom and photon-photon interactions.

The successful realization of the project based upon the interdisciplinary interface of cold atoms and nanoscale waveguides could elevate this approach to a new route for strongly interacting photons and atoms, with unique possibilities for integrated quantum technologies, quantum non-linear optics as well as for many-body quantum physics.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

ERC-2022-ADG

Update Date

12-03-2024
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Horizon Europe
HORIZON.1 Excellent Science
HORIZON.1.1 European Research Council (ERC)
HORIZON.1.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
ERC-2022-ADG
HORIZON.1.1.1 Frontier science
ERC-2022-ADG