Center for Controlled Quantum Systems

The Center for Controlled Quantum Systems is an interdisciplinary unit within PEP that links together the research activities of six of the faculty (Search, Martini, Yu, Strauf, Horing, and Malinovskaya) through a single unifying theme of controlling physical systems that are governed by quantum mechanics. The activities broadly fall under the subfield of physics known as atomic, molecular, and optical physics and focus on using light to directly control and manipulate the quantum mechanical properties of atoms, molecules, semiconductors as well as other more exotic materials such as Bose-Einstein condensates and graphene....read more

NanoPhotonics Laboratory

Prof. S. Strauf

Research activities of the the NanoPhotonics Lab include fabrication and quantum-optical characterization of functional nanostructured devices made from compound semiconductors and graphitic nanomaterials. Nanofabrication is carried out either on campus or at BNL in the Center for Functional Nanomaterials. When structured into quantum dots, photonic crystals, or antidot lattices, these materials offer rich opportunities for fundamental research of light-matter interaction down to the ultimate quantum limit where one can control and manipulate single electrons, excitons, or photons. Device applications are in classical and quantum information processing such as quantum cryptography. To this end we explore cavity-embedded SWCNTs for their utility in single photon sources (see picture). Another topic aims to realize scalable quantum photonic devices based on vertical QDs and photonic crystal nanocavities. Collaborative activities with Prof. EH Yang's group from Stevens ME focus on CVD growth of graphene, strain-actuated graphene ribbons, and graphene antidot superlattices, promising applications in broadband light detection from VIS to FIR. Furthermore, we explore novel ways to fabricate plasmonic nanogap arrays with high throughput and at low cost based on interference lithography.

Visit the NanoPhotonics Lab web site!

Ultrafast Dynamics and Control Theory Group

Prof. S. Malinovskaya

Understanding of ultrafast molecular dynamics induced by intense laser pulses, and development of laser control methods to manipulate quantum systems; theory of coherent stimulated Raman scattering (CSRS) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy and microscopy with applications to noninvasive biological imaging and investigation of ultrafast dynamics of biological systems on real-time scale; and the design of new quantum control methods including ultrafast optical pulse sculpting and coupling to other advanced techniques, such as adaptive learning algorithms. We investigate

1. the possibility of selective excitation of predetermined vibrations in chemical and biological systems,
2. dissociation of small molecules following core-electron excitation that requires x-ray photon energies, and
3. photoinduced reactions in large molecules, e.g., photoisomerization in the rhodopsin molecule, a key intermediate in the vision process.

Visit the Ultrafast Dynamics & Control Theory Lab web site!

Theoretical Quantum and Matter Wave Optics

Prof. C. P. Search

Theoretical investigations into the dynamical properties of atomic and molecular Bose-Einstein condensates and quantum degenerate Fermi gases. Particular areas of interest include nonlinear wave-mixing of matter waves, quantum statistics and coherence properties of bosonic and fermionic matter waves, atomic recoil effects in the interaction between light and ultracold atoms, atom-molecule conversion via Feshbach resonances, and photoassociation and phase sensitivity in atom interferometers. Applications include precision interferometers for inertial navigation, gravity gradiometers for geophysical prospecting, and matter wave lithography.

Other areas of interest include open quantum systems, control of environmental decoherence, and cavity quantum electrodynamics.

Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy and Communication Laboratory

Prof. R. Martini

The realization of ultrahigh-speed communication networks at and above Terahertz (THz) bandwidth is one of today's most challenging problems, as the limiting factors are given by fundamental physical properties and laws. To overcome the restrictions, new concepts and materials have to be invented and utilized. In this laboratory, we investigate the high-speed response of new lasers and materials, as well as passive and active optical systems using ultrashort laser pulses (<100fs) to develop towards higher speed networks. In addition to this, the ultrashort laser techniques in this laboratory enable us to apply many different measurement techniques, accessing the world of the "ultrafast." Time-resolved Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy setup, for example, gives us the unique ability to measure optical, as well as electrical, properties in this ultrahigh-speed frequency region and use it for new and fascinating applications in this new "frequency world."

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Quantum Information Science and Technology Group

Prof. T. Yu

The aims of quantum information science are the study of how to use entanglement as a fundamental resource for applications in various information processing tasks such as quantum secure communication and quantum computation. Quantum information is also important to provide a deeper understanding of quantum many-body physics and quantum foundation. Research in this group focuses on theory and implementation of quantum information science in the domains of quantum optics and mesoscopic physics. Major research interests include entanglement dynamics and decoherence of small systems; quantum Monte Carlo simulations; continuous quantum measurement; quantum cryptography; quantum feedback control; quantum phase transition and topological quantum computation.

Quantum Electron Physics and Technology

Prof. N. J. M. Horing

Quantum field theory of many-body systems; nonequilibrium and thermal Green's function methods in solid state and semiconductor physics and response properties; open quantum systems; nonequilibrium fluctuations; surface interactions; quantum plasma; high magnetic field phenomena; low dimensional systems; dynamic, nonlocal dielectric properties, and collective modes in quantum wells, wires, dots, and superlattices; nanostructure electrodynamics and optical properties; nonlinear quantum transport theory; magnetotransport, miniband transport, hot electrons, and hot phonons in submicron devices; mesoscopic systems; spintronics; relaxation and decoherence in semiconductor nanostructures; nanoelectrical mechanical systems (NEMS); and device analysis for quantum computations.

Light and Life Laboratory

Prof. K. Stamnes

Atmospheric/Space Research, including satellite remote sensing of the environment; measurements of broadband and spectral radiation, including solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation; inference of cloud and stratospheric ozone effects on UV exposure; numerical modeling of geophysical phenomena and comparison with measurements; and study of radiation transport in turbid media, such as the atmosphere-ocean system and biological tissue.

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Photonics Science and Technology Lab

Prof. E. A. Whittaker

The theme of this laboratory is the development and application of laser-based methods for remote sensing, chemical analysis, and optical communications. Techniques used include frequency modulation spectroscopy, laser vibrometry, and free space optical communications. The laboratory is equipped with a wide range of laser sources and detectors, high-frequency electronic test equipment, computer-controlled measurement systems, and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer.