Quantum Optics
Articles tagged with Quantum Optics
Of the geometry of light
Good vibrations for quantum communications
Scientists have successfully demonstrated atomic spin qubit interaction with a single-quantum sound wave, opening up new possibilities for quantum information storage and sensing applications. The experiment uses phonons to interact with atomic defects in diamond, enabling precise measurement of forces and temperatures.
Ben-Gurion University researchers propose new way to secure optical communication using light itself
Researchers propose a new approach to secure optical communication by hiding information in the physical structure of light, making it difficult for unauthorized parties to intercept or decode. Computer simulations showed that the method can transmit information reliably without revealing it through changes in beam size or intensity.
Does gravity follow the rules of quantum mechanics?
A team of researchers led by Kazuhiro Yamamoto has proposed a method to create a momentum-squeezed state in movable mirrors, which significantly broadens the quantum superposition of a mirror's position. This approach can amplify the signal of quantum entanglement generated by gravity, making it easier to detect.
Racetrack-shaped lasers for bright, stable frequency combs
A new laser source generates a specific type of light source called a frequency comb in the mid-infrared region, paving the way for miniaturization. The device overcomes engineering challenges to produce bright, stable, and compact frequency combs.
Researchers demonstrate stable links for quantum networks over kilometers of noisy fiber
Researchers from NIST and University of Colorado, Boulder, have demonstrated highly stabilized fiber links for quantum networking. They achieved nanometer precision stabilization while separating the classical light from the quantum signal, enabling the transmission of quantum information reliably.
Technion researchers measure ultrafast quantum light pulses for the first time
The study measures the temporal duration of individual pulses of bright squeezed vacuum (BSV), a unique quantum state of light. Each BSV pulse lasts just around 27 femtoseconds, placing it firmly in the ultrafast regime.
Quantum researchers engineer extremely precise phonon lasers
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a squeezed phonon laser that precisely controls individual particles of vibration or sound, allowing for accurate measurements of gravity and other forces. This technology has the potential to create more accurate, 'unjammable' navigation systems without relying on satellites.
Experimental evidence shows how photons spread across multiple paths in an interferometer
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a new experimental method to demonstrate the physical delocalization of individual photons in an interferometer. The study challenges traditional interpretations of quantum mechanics and has significant implications for high-tech sensors and our understanding of reality.
Deterministic quantum light emitters in DNA origami-engineered molecule-MoS2 hybrids
Researchers have developed programmable 2D material–organic molecule hybrids with high efficiency and nanoscale spatial precision using DNA origami triangles. This approach enables the creation of arrays of solid-state single-photon-emitter ensembles with excellent spectral and intensity stability, opening a route toward miniaturized h...
Topology helps build more robust photonic networks
Researchers have shown that topology can guide multiple, information-carrying light signals through chip-based photonic communication systems, making them more powerful and reliable. This breakthrough could enable the creation of networks of chips that communicate using light while taking advantage of topology's robustness.
Tools to glimpse how “helicity” impacts matter and light
A team from Tokyo Metropolitan University successfully detects laser-assisted electron scattering using circularly polarized light, shedding light on atomic scale helicity and its impact on electron-matter interaction. The signal agrees with theory, but further work is needed to improve detection efficiency and accuracy.
A dynamic twist of light’s ‘handedness’
The Harvard researchers' new device is elegantly designed to be tunable, with a bilayer design that becomes geometrically chiral and able to 'read' chiral light. By using the MEMS device to continuously vary the twist angle and interlayer spacing, the team showed they could tune the device's intrinsic ability to read different chiral l...
Ultrafast computers controlled by light: a new frontier opened by Politecnico di Milano and CNR
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano and CNR have developed a new ultrafast computer technology controlled by light, potentially hundreds of times faster than traditional electronics. The technology manipulates the state of electrons in matter using oscillating light, enabling operations at rates above 10 terahertz.
Matching vibrations is all it takes to modify materials
Scientists at Columbia University have experimentally confirmed that quantum fluctuations in a 2D material can alter the properties of a nearby crystal. The team placed a nanometer-sized flake of hexagonal Boron nitride on top of a superconducting material, where the vibrations matched and interacted, suppressing superconductivity.
$9M for exploring the fundamental limits of entangled quantum sensor networks
Researchers aim to harness entanglement for high-precision networking, improving measurement sensitivity and resolving finer details. The five-year effort seeks to establish ways to maintain entanglement over time, paving the way for a future quantum internet.
uOttawa researchers clear the path for turbulence-free quantum communication
Researchers at uOttawa have developed a new technique called Stimulated Parametric Down-Conversion (StimPDC) to mitigate the effects of atmospheric turbulence on free-space quantum key distribution. This method reduces quantum error rates below the security threshold even under strong turbulence.
‘Giant superatoms’ unlock a new toolbox for quantum computers
Giant superatoms combine two quantum-mechanical constructs to suppress decoherence and create entanglement, opening opportunities for scalable and reliable quantum systems. This breakthrough enables quantum information to be protected, controlled, and distributed in new ways.
Generating micro-combs of light
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have discovered a new way to generate ultra-precise, evenly spaced laser light combs on a photonic chip. This breakthrough could miniaturize optical platforms like spectroscopic sensors or communication systems.
Microscopic mirrors for future quantum networks
The Harvard team developed a new microfabrication method to produce high-performance, curved optical mirrors with extremely smooth surfaces. The mirrors can control light at near-infrared wavelengths, enabling fast and efficient quantum networking.
Deterministic entanglement-assisted quantum communication over 20-km fiber channel
A team of scientists experimentally demonstrated deterministic entanglement-assisted quantum communication over 20.121 km in fiber channels, outperforming classical communication in metropolitan areas. They proposed an improved continuous-variable dense coding scheme to enhance transmission efficiency and reduce excess noise.
Mid-infrared InAs/InP quantum-dot lasers: opening a new era for mid-infrared light sources
Researchers have successfully demonstrated the first InAs/InP quantum-dot laser in the mid-infrared 2 μm band, achieving a low threshold current density of 118 A/cm² at room temperature. The device's precise control strategy and high-density, uniform quantum-dot ensemble enable high-performance devices on heterogeneous platforms.
Quantum measurements with entangled atomic clouds
A research team has demonstrated how quantum mechanical entanglement can be used to measure several physical parameters simultaneously with increased precision. By distributing atoms into up to three spatially separated clouds, the effects of entanglement act at a distance, reducing measurement uncertainties and canceling disturbances.
Light switches made of ultra-thin semiconductor layers
A nanostructure composed of silver and an atomically thin semiconductor layer can be turned into an ultrafast switching mirror device, displaying properties of both light and matter. This discovery could lead to dramatically increased information transmission rates in optical data processing.
It started with a cat: How 100 years of quantum weirdness powers today’s tech
Dr. Marlan Scully traces the journey of quantum mechanics, from its quirky beginnings to its role in solving science's toughest challenges, including quantum computing, cryptography, and gravitational wave detection.
Uriel Levy appointed to lead newest SPIE journal, Advanced Quantum Catalyst
Uriel Levy has been appointed as the inaugural editor-in-chief of SPIE's Advanced Quantum Catalyst journal, which will serve as a premier venue for real-world quantum applications. The journal aims to bridge the gap in quantum research publishing landscape by emphasizing implementation, integration, and cross-disciplinary applications.
Fast coherent-multiple-transition quantum walks in synthetic frequency dimension
A team of scientists proposes a new scheme for 1D DTQW systems with coherent multiple long-range connectivity in the synthetic frequency lattice. This enables faster diffusion speed and breaks the weak coupling limit, facilitating quantum gate operations.
Innovative techniques enable Italy’s first imaging of individual trapped atoms
Researchers at the University of Trieste and CNR-INO have achieved the first imaging of individual trapped ytterbium atoms in Italy. By combining intense fluorescence pulses with fast re-cooling, they demonstrated record-speed imaging of individual atoms, enabling precise onsite atom counting and advancing quantum computing applications.
Light for future optical technologies: Successful conclusion of the TRR 142 Collaborative Research Centre
Researchers at Paderborn University and TU Dortmund University have developed materials smaller than the wavelength of light and precisely manipulated photons. They created quantum light sources for quantum computing and ultra-fast communication, as well as low-temperature electronics to control quantum experiments.
Researchers discover that conventional entanglement can have thousands of hidden topologies in high dimensions
A team from the University of the Witwatersrand and Huzhou University discovered a vast alphabet of high-dimensional topological signatures, enabling robust quantum information encoding. This breakthrough utilizes orbital angular momentum to reveal hidden topologies in entangled photons.
Tiny new device could enable giant future quantum computers
Researchers have developed a nearly 100 times smaller device that can efficiently control lasers required for thousands of qubits, unlocking potential for larger quantum computers. The device uses microwave-frequency vibrations to manipulate laser light with extraordinary precision.
Chip-scale magnetometer uses light for high-precision magnetic sensing
Researchers developed a precision magnetometer based on magneto-optic material that changes optical properties in response to a magnetic field. The device can detect magnetic fields comparable to those of high-performance cryogenic magnetometers, but with minimal size, weight and power consumption.
New advances in quantum structured light pave the way for safer communications and ultra-fast computing
The field of quantum structured light has transformed the way we communicate, measure and process information by combining quantum information with spatial and temporal structures of light. This technology enables simpler and faster circuits for quantum computing, as well as improved resolution techniques in imaging and metrology.
Rydberg-atom detector conquers a new spectral frontier
Scientists developed a Rydberg-atom detector to measure weak terahertz signals, enabling precise spectroscopy and quantum sensors. The detector uses a gas of rubidium atoms in a Rydberg state, tuning them to specific frequencies for calibration.
Shaping quantum light unlocks new possibilities for future technologies
Researchers have demonstrated how controlling the structure of photons in space and time enables tailored quantum states for next-generation communication, sensing, and imaging. This breakthrough offers new pathways for high-capacity quantum communication and advanced technologies.
Barcelona hosts the first Pan-European Summit dedicated to Quantum Education
The summit brings together experts and professionals to discuss best practices in quantum education, with a focus on increasing accessibility and visibility of quantum science. The event aims to cultivate a stronger pipeline of talent and knowledge in the field.
World’s first demonstration of entanglement swapping using sum-frequency generation between single photons
Researchers successfully demonstrated entanglement swapping using sum-frequency generation between single photons with a high signal-to-noise ratio. This achievement is expected to contribute to the miniaturization and efficiency improvement of photonic quantum information processing circuit, as well as the extension of transmission di...
Kono awarded American Physical Society’s Isakson Prize
Kono recognized for his contributions to optical physics, light-condensed matter interactions and photonic applications of nanosystems. His research explores how light interacts with materials at the nanoscale, potentially leading to new technologies in electronics and quantum communication.
Miniscule wave machine opens big scientific doors
University of Queensland researchers have developed a microscopic 'ocean' on a silicon chip, allowing for the study of wave dynamics at an unprecedented scale. The device, made with superfluid helium, enables the observation of striking phenomena, including waves that lean backward and shock fronts.
Quantum meta-devices: Miniaturizing the future of photonics
Artificial materials with subwavelength structures enable shrinking optical setups onto tiny chips. Meta-surfaces manipulate fundamental light properties, boosting photon pair generation efficiency. This allows for on-chip quantum light sources, single-photon detection, and ultra-precise quantum metrology sensors.
New low-cost, efficient single-photon source for powering future quantum internet
Researchers have developed a highly efficient fiber-coupled single-photon source that generates photons directly inside an optical fiber, reducing transmission loss. This breakthrough enables the creation of secure quantum communication networks and paves the way for next-generation all-fiber-integrated quantum computing technologies.
Quantum radio antenna
A team from the University of Warsaw developed a new type of all-optical radio receiver based on Rydberg atoms, providing extreme sensitivity and internal calibration. The antenna is powered by laser light, enabling precise control over the lasers and electron dance.
Bright squeezed light in the kilohertz frequency band
Researchers have created a new method for generating bright squeezed light in the kilohertz frequency band with milliwatt optical power. By integrating passive and active noise suppression techniques, they reduced technical noise by 9 dB below shot noise limit, extending feedback bandwidth to MHz range.
Researchers integrate waveguide physics into metasurfaces for advanced light control
Scientists have developed a new type of metasurface that combines waveguide physics with planar design to achieve precise control over light at the nanoscale. The metasurfaces produce photonic flatbands across wide angles while preserving ultrahigh quality factors, enabling efficient trapping of light and strong interactions with matter.
First real-time measurement of quantum uncertainty with ultrafast squeezed light
Scientists have made the first-ever direct measurement of quantum uncertainty dynamics with attosecond resolution, revealing it's a dynamic and tunable property. The discovery enables novel petahertz-scale secure quantum communication protocols.
Chip-based phonon splitter brings hybrid quantum networks closer to reality
Researchers have created a chip-based device that can split phonons, enabling the connection of different quantum systems via phonons. This device could help link superconducting qubits with spin-based systems, supporting advances in computing and secure communication.
Quantum uncertainty tamed at the University of Arizona
The team developed a new method to produce ultrafast squeezed light, which can fluctuate between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the position of fused silica relative to the split beam. This breakthrough could lead to more secure communication and advance fields like quantum sensing, chemistry, and biology.
Scientists uncover room-temperature route to improved light-harvesting and emission devices
Researchers create nanoscale slots to tune phonon vibrations, enabling ultrastrong coupling and hybrid quantum states in lead halide perovskite. This breakthrough could improve energy flow and performance in optoelectronics.
Quantum random number generator combines small size and high speed
Researchers developed a chip-based quantum random number generator that generates unpredictable numbers at 3 gigabits per second, fast enough to support large-scale data centers' security needs. The device overcomes challenges of noise interference with an optical amplifier and dual-photodiode design.
Shining a light on dark valleytronics
Scientists at OIST use advanced spectroscopy to track the evolution of dark excitons, overcoming the fundamental challenge of accessing these elusive particles. The findings lay the foundation for dark valleytronics as a field, with potential applications in quantum information technologies.
U-M quantum testbed enables remote experiments
Researchers at U-M have established a quantum testbed that links two labs with optical fibers, enabling remote quantum experiments and expanding access to quantum technology development. The testbed allows for the transfer of entangled light over long distances, revolutionizing communication, computing, and scientific discovery.
New sources for quantum information: Diamonds with an optimal shine
The Hebrew University team has developed a way to capture nearly all the light emitted from tiny diamond defects known as color centers. This breakthrough enables the development of next-generation quantum computers, sensors, and communication networks.
Bright squeezed light in the kilohertz frequency band
Researchers have developed a novel nonclassical hybrid passive-active power stabilization technique to break the limit of squeezing in the kHz band. The approach reduces technical noise by −122 dB/Hz to −165 dB/Hz, extending the feedback bandwidth from 50 kHz to MHz range.
Toward quantum adaptive imaging: wavefront sensing of position-correlated biphotons
Researchers introduced a new wavefront sensing method using microlens arrays to measure the phase of position-correlated biphotons. This technique is inspired by classical SHWS and handles an important type of biphoton state in quantum imaging, which cannot be properly measured by previous methods.
Physicists devise an idea for lasers that shoot beams of neutrinos
Researchers at MIT introduce the concept of a neutrino laser that uses cooled radioactive atoms to produce amplified neutrino beams. By cooling rubidium-83 to near absolute zero, the team predicts accelerated radioactive decay and production of neutrinos. This innovation could lead to new applications in medicine and communication.
Manipulating light to revolutionize quantum computing
Researchers from UNamur, Harvard, and MTU developed a photonic chip that achieves longer entanglement range using near-zero refractive index photonics, a breakthrough for quantum computing. This technology has the potential to enable more efficient lasers, sensitive optical sensors, and faster ultra-secure telecommunication tools.
CCNY physicists make quantum emitter discovery in diamonds
Researchers at CCNY discovered a novel coupling between nitrogen-vacancy centers and photonic structures, overcoming challenges in quantum information technologies. The discovery also enables sensitive imaging of photonic modes with remarkable contrast.
Digital to analog in one smooth step
The new Harvard device can turn purely digital electronic inputs into analog optical signals at high speeds, addressing the bottleneck of computing and data interconnects. It has the potential to enable advances in microwave photonics and emerging optical computing approaches.
Johns Hopkins engineers create new class of quantum sensors to detect faint molecular vibrations
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have created a new class of quantum sensors that can detect even the faintest molecular vibrations. This breakthrough could lead to earlier disease detection and enhanced industrial process control. By harnessing the power of quantum principles, scientists can now engineer the quantum environment...