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.

Matrix WG 1
TOPICSSUPERCONDUCTING
DETECTORS PHYSICS
AND PERFORMANCE
SOURCESProcessing/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