Working Group 1
The members of working group 1 (WG1) are focusing on the generation, detection and storage of quantum states of light at the nanoscale. We wish to combine the latest advances in nano-photonics with quantum-inspired applications. Important themes include:
- Single quantum emitters (quantum dots, colour centers and organic molecules) embedded in nanoscale structures for enhanced collection efficiencies, integration in optical circuits or single-photon nonlinearities.
- Efficient single-photon detectors based on superconducting nanostructures, with an emphasis on integrating them in optical circuits.
- Study of new nanomaterials, metamaterials and quantum plasmonics for generating and manipulating nonclassical light.
- Quantum memories based on nanoscale structures.
Our goal is to connect WG1 researchers through events (meetings, training school) to stimulate collaborations and produce concrete outcomes such as short-term scientific missions, joint publications, review papers, patents, workshops and project proposals.
WG1 is also the most-application oriented working group of this Action, and an emphasis is put on involving industries in our events.
TOPICS | SUPERCONDUCTING DETECTORS PHYSICS AND PERFORMANCE | SOURCES | Processing/memories/ interfaces/applications |
---|---|---|---|
MATERIALS & SYSTEMS | – Superconducting nanowire single-photo detectors (meanders, nanodetectors) – NbN, NbTiN, WSi, MoSi, YBCO – Alternative substrates – Nano-fabrication – Waveguide detectors | – Semiconductor quantum dots – Organic molecules – SPDC/SFWM – Color centres in diamond – Rare earth ion doped crystals – Trapped atoms – Electrical pumping of quantum dots | – Tapered optical fibers with a nanofiber waist and >99% transmission – Tunable Whispering-Gallery-Mode (WGM) resonators with Q > 10e8 – Nonlinear waveguides (PPLN, PPKTP) |
THEORY & MODELS | – Superconductivity in nanostructures – Finite difference time-domain simulation – Numerical simulations of the detection mechanism – Conventional and non-conventional superconductors | – Finite difference time-domain simulation – Optical Bloch equations – Jaynes-Cummings models – Density functional theory – Fermi’s Golden Rule calculations – Density matrix approach for coupling with reservoir | – Semi-classical description of (arrays of) multi-level atoms with optical nearfields – Full quantum description of the interaction of multi-level atoms with WGM resonator modes |
EXPERIMENTS | – Multi-photon excitations – Optical, electrical, temperature & magnetic field studies at < 1 K – High-temperature operation – Multilayers and novel geometries | Confocal microscopy – Correlation function measurements – Quantum interference – Low-temperature experiments – Spectral and spatial modes control – Electrical pumping | – Coupling of sources to waveguide devices, open microcavities and nano-cavities – Cold cesium atoms trapped and interfaced via nanofiber-guided light – CQED with single Rubidium atoms coupled to WGM resonators – Frequency conversion – Interfacing rare-earth-ion doped quantum memories with single-photon sources – Quantum random number generation with nanoscale devices – Feasibility of free-space/satellite QKD with nanoscale sources and detectors |