We squeeze light and make things transparent
In the beginning of 20th century the need for understanding the interaction of light and atoms gave rise to the development of Quantum Mechanics. Now in the 21st century we lived through the Second Quantum Revolution. We now can manipulate and control quantum states of light and atoms to push the technology beyond the limits set by the classical physics!
Many current technologies -- from cell phones and displays to medical diagnostics and chemical analysis -- rely on our understanding of underlying quantum nature of the world. Now we are able to create new, previously impossible states of matter and light. These new man-made quantum objects and protocols can enable new capabilities, such as creating unbreakable data encription, developing efficient synthesis protocols for complex molecules and medical compounds, improving accuracy of measurements to unprecedented level, and many more.
In our group we use various multi-photon interactions to control quantum states of atoms in Rb vapor to dramatically alter its optical properties. For example, by carefully tuning the frequencies of two optical fields, we can reduce resonant optical absorption and make a normally opaque medium (more) transparent. This effect is known as Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT). Or it may be possible to generate new optical fields with interesting non-classical statistics by means of near-resonant four-wave mixing and generate so-called squeezed light, that can then be used to push the performance of quantum sensors beyond classical limits.
Narrow two-photon resonances, such as EIT, can be used for designing precise measurement devices, such as atomic clocks, magnetometers, gyroscopes, etc. Currently we are working on developing a VAMPIRE: Vector Atomic Magnetometry via Polarization Interrogation with Rotating EIT.
Nonlinear interaction with atoms can change light statistics. Under the conditions of polarization self-rotation (PSR), we can generate squeezed vacuum by shining linearly polarized atoms through a Rb vapor cell. We then can use such light to image objects with only a few photons.
In this project we work on developing a novel two-mode squeezing source to produce quantum correlations between two optical fields: one in near-IR (and couples strongly to Rb spins) and another at the telecom wavelength (to enable efficient transmission through an optical fiber).
Highly-excited (Rydberg) electrons are extremely sensitive to their electric environment. We can measure the associated energy shifts via ladder-type EIT, and apply it for all-optical electric field detection.
Charged particles generate electric and magnetic fields as they travel, and by using atoms as local probes for electromagnetic fields and interrogating them through coherent light polarization, we are able to image the spatial distribution of charged particles in 3 dimensions. This project is in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility to develop a non-invasive relativistic beam profiler.
We have many exciting projects at any level from freshmen to graduate students! Anyone interested in doing research with us, please contact Irina Novikova or Eugeniy Mikhailov