Project description
New possibilities in quantum light control
Harnessing light at the smallest scales is crucial for developing better communication systems, quantum computing, and high-precision sensors. Nanophotonic structures can trap and control light, enabling powerful interactions between light and matter, even at room temperature. However, current methods face two major roadblocks: they must obey strict energy conservation rules and allow light to travel in both directions. Overcoming these limitations could lead to new types of quantum devices that operate in ways never seen before. To address these challenges, the ERC-funded TIMELIGHT project aims to use time-modulated materials whose optical properties change dynamically under external control. This would enable stronger control over light emission, free-electron radiation, and photon generation. If successful, TIMELIGHT could pave the way for future quantum technologies.
Objective
Controlling light and its interaction with matter at the nanoscale is one of the major aims of current Science with applications ranging from energy-efficient photonic-based communications, quantum information processing, or high precision sensors. Owing to the hybrid light-matter modes supported by nanophotonic structures, from THz and IR polaritons in 2D materials to optical plasmonic resonances, nanophotonics offers an ideal platform for an exquisite control of light-matter interactions even at room temperature. Light concentrated at the nanoscale is a natural playground for quantum electro-dynamical (QED) processes, whereby light-matter interactions reveal their quantum nature.
However, conventional approaches to nanophotonics-based QED are limited by two fundamental principles: energy conservation and reciprocity. Overcoming these limitations would enable non-photon conserving devices and one-way channels, opening the door to a compact route to quantum photonic circuits. TIMELIGHT proposes the use of time-modulated media, whose optical parameters (e.g. permittivity) are dynamically modulated by an external actuation, to realise fundamentally new non-Hermitian and non-reciprocal QED effects. This theoretical project roots in recent experimental advances that have shown unprecedentedly large and fast modulations of nanophotonic structures.
TIMELIGHT will deliver advances in the following areas: (1) tuning of spontaneous emission and collective interactions of quantum emitters, (2) new forms of free electron radiation, (3) novel mechanisms for enhancing spontaneous photon generation, and (4) synthetic-motion based fluctuation-induced forces. TIMELIGHT will open the door to time-varying nanophotonics as a new paradigm to tailoring light-matter interactions at room temperature with non-Hermitian and non-reciprocal effects. This will shed light in the understanding of fundamental QED processes and ultimately be of interest to quantum photonic technologies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences condensed matter physics quasiparticles
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nanophotonics
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-STG
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28049 Madrid
Spain
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