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Integrated photonics in new generations of optical clocks and other quantum sensors

Kartik A. Srinivasan

Published Mar 4, 2022• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Atomic clocks are an important part of many potential quantum sensors, in addition to constituting a type of quantum sensor in their own right. For many applications, high-performance clocks must be realized in a manner compatible with operation outside of a laboratory. In this talk, I will outline efforts at developing the integrated photonics technology needed to miniaturize optical atomic clocks, including our lab’s own efforts on nonlinear nanophotonics components. I will also discuss how such integrated photonics can also impact the development of other types of quantum sensors, and present some of the challenges involved in advancing these technologies.

DOI
10.1117/12.2622841

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Atomic clocks are an important part of many potential quantum sensors, in addition to constituting a type of quantum sensor in their own right. For many applications, high-performance clocks must be realized in a manner compatible with operation outside of a laboratory. In this talk, I will outline efforts at developing the integrated photonics technology needed to miniaturize optical atomic clocks, including our lab’s own efforts on nonlinear nanophotonics components. I will also discuss how such integrated photonics can also impact the development of other types of quantum sensors, and present some of the challenges involved in advancing these technologies.
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The discrete electronic energy levels in atoms and the ability to probe and control them using their interactions with electromagnetic fields have enabled a host of applications in quantum sensing and metrology, including atom-based time and frequency standards, magnetometers, and inertial sensors. Precision measurements with atoms rely on the capability to control the frequency, phase, polarization, and direction of photons used to prepare and measure quantum systems, and thus developments in near-infrared optics and photonics are critical to advancing state-of-the-art atomic sensors. In this talk, I will summarize the basic principles of atom-based quantum sensing and highlight the role of atom-photon interactions in quantum measurements. The benefits and challenges of realizing atom-based quantum sensors will be illustrated through examples from my prior research, including the development of sensitive accelerometers and gyroscopes based on cold-atom interferometers. I will discuss the critical developments in photonic engineering that are still needed to improve the performance and functionality of atom-based-quantum sensors and our research progress at UW-Madison towards addressing these needs.
The realization of scalable, real world devices in quantum technologies requires myriad new approaches and hardware components. Integrated photonics play a crucial role in many applications in quantum information and quantum sensing, enabling the realization of key components such as new light sources, waveguides, resonators, and detectors. The field of integrated quantum photonics is booming, and an increasing number of research groups are contributing to the accelerating efforts to study fundamental and technological challenges at the intersection of quantum optics, nanophotonics, and hybrid integrated devices. This Special Topic Collection is dedicated to highlighting important progress in the field of integrated quantum photonics and presenting new cutting-edge results, both experimental and theoretical, toward the common goal of exploring quantum photonic phenomena.