The ARQADIA project finds its inspiration in the physics of condensed matter and particularly in so-called "quantum materials". Quantum materials have very special properties (superconductivity, quantum magnetism, fractional quantum Hall effect) that cannot be described simply by models involving only one particle (atom or electron) at a time, but which require considering the interactions between a large number of particles. Within ARQADIA project we build, using light, synthetic quantum materials where such collective behaviors occur. The goal is twofold: probing these artificial materials to help understanding complex phenomena by probing them in well-controlled systems, and using their collective response as a potential resource applicable to quantum technologies.
In order to generate spatial and temporal quantum correlations in photonic materials, strong interactions between the photonic excitations are required. This represents an outstanding challenge for solid-state quantum optics. The ambition of ARQADIA is to tackle this challenge by manufacturing a new generation of synthetic quantum materials using state-of-the-art nanatechnology processes within the C2N clean room. The devices are made of arrays of "light traps", micrometer-sized cavities defined by two semiconductor mirrors, where light can be confined and manipulated. The coupling between light and electronic excitations in these structures leads to the formation of hybrid light-matter particles (called "polaritons") that behave like interacting photons. By careful engineering of the device properties and geometry, we have created new polaritonic devices with non trivial band topology, and are currently working on imprinting quantum correlations onto the photons escaping the material.
