Project description
Photonics experiments could shed light on photon correlations and 'bunching' behaviours
In the early 1900s, the theories of Bohr, Planck and Einstein led to the first quantum model of the atom. All three went on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, establishing the basis of quantum theory. Hamiltonian mechanics, first formulated in the early 1800s for classical systems, and 'Hamiltonians' are now known to describe all physical systems, whether classical or quantum. However, until two decades ago, it was thought that so-called 'Hermitian Hamiltonians' apply to both classical and quantum systems and 'non-Hermitian Hamiltonians' apply only to classical mechanics. The discovery that the latter was not true opened an important new area of study, particularly from an experimental standpoint. The EU-funded QUAPT project is exploiting photonics to investigate experimentally, for the first time, the evolution of quantum states in non-Hermitian systems with expected pioneering insights into photon correlations and new physics.
Objective
In 1998, one of the fundamental assumptions in quantum mechanics, that the Hamiltonian describing a quantum system has to be Hermitian, was overturned. The existence of an entire class of Hamiltonians that are non-Hermitian yet still possess real eigenvalues was discovered. These non-Hermitian Hamiltonians describe PT-symmetric systems, which are systems that are invariant under the combined operations of parity-inversion and time-reversal. Currently, it is still under debate what implications PT-symmetry has for quantum physics. Yet in photonics, PT-symmetry can be readily realized by a proper distribution of gain and loss in the system, making photonics the ideal platform for studying the physics of PT-symmetric systems.
Indeed, various effects of PT-symmetry such as non-orthogonal eigenmodes, non-reciprocal evolution of light, and diffusive coherent transport have been demonstrated on a photonic platform, and inspired applications in lasers and optical diodes. So far, these photonic experiments have been purely classical and the full impact of PT-symmetry on the evolution of light is still unclear. Quantum evolution of light in PT-symmetric systems is completely unexplored territory with lots of new physics to be unravelled.
Therefore, the objective of this proposal is to for the first time experimentally investigate the evolution of quantum states in non-Hermitian systems. In particular, the project will study the quantum evolution of multiple correlated photons injected in PT-symmetric integrated photonic structures fabricated using direct laser-writing technology. The aim is to investigate how modifying the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian of the system influences photon correlations, expecting to demonstrate novel behaviour and unravel new physics. It is expected to find that quantum correlations fundamentally change: for example, correlated photons that should naturally bunch might anti-bunch, show a mixed bunching-antibunching, or even uncorrelated behaviour.
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 quantum physics
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- 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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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
18055 Rostock
Germany
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.