Objective
Optical switches are devices that allow rerouting an incident optical signal to different ports and play a vital part in fiber optic communication networks. The realization of future quantum networks and quantum communication applications require so-called quantum switches, which, in contrast to classical optical switches, have to be treated quantum mechanically. In particular, quantum switches can be prepared and operated in coherent superposition states.
We propose the experimental implementation of a fiber based quantum switch, for which the internal state of a single laser-cooled atom defines the output port of the incident light field. The key element of this proposal is a novel type of optical whispering-gallery-mode microresonator. It allows one to reach the regime of strong coupling, where a single atom is sufficient to drastically change the transmission properties of the resonator. The coupling of light into and out of this so-called bottle microresonator is realized with very low losses using tapered optical fibers. This fiber integration in conjunction with the extremely high optical quality of the resonator enables the realization of a highly efficient quantum switch with properties adequate for real applications.
In addition to its potential use in quantum communication, an intrinsic property of this quantum switch is that it allows one to efficiently generate matter-light entanglement as well as highly entangled multi-photon states as, e.g. Schrödinger cat states. This is interesting both from an applied and from a fundamental point of view because the number of entangled particles can easily be adjusted, thus allowing the quantitative study of the transition from the quantum mechanical behaviour of the switch to the classical regime.
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.
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
- natural sciences physical sciences optics fibre optics
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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.
Topic(s)
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.
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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF
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Funding Scheme
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.
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.
Coordinator
1040 Wien
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.