Quantum control: manipulating and interfacing selected atoms in optical lattices with light

Objective

"The interdisciplinary boundary between the fields of quantum information science, condensed matter, and ultra-cold atomic physics is at the heart of the new field of quantum engineering and will play an important role for the enhancement of our understanding of strongly correlated materials. One of the most important tools in this domain is optical lattices, which are periodic optical potentials – artificial ""crystals"" - created by counter-propagating laser beams. The dynamics of ultra-cold atoms in optical lattices is very similar to that found in solid state systems. In contrast to these, however, optical lattices have a high degree of purity, regularity, and tunability. They are therefore an ideal test bed for many condensed matter models such as those relevant for high-Tc-superconductivity and are a strong candidate for scalable quantum computation.
The proposal will address two fundamental issues. Challenge 1: interface ultra-cold atoms in optical lattices with light. Although a non-destructive probe of the states in optical lattices would have great implications for the investigation of the rich many-body dynamics as well as for the field of quantum information processing it has never been implemented. In this project the experience of the applicant in non-destructive probing of room-temperature atomic gasses will be extended to optical lattices. Challenge 2: the manipulation and detection of single sites in an optical lattice represents a formidable technical challenge since the lattice spacing is of the order of 0.5um. In two hallmark experiments this resolution was achieved optically recently but the approach is very expensive and technically involved. Within this proposal a new way of achieving this resolution is introduced based on the interference of multiple coherent beams. Apart from technical simplicity it also offers enhanced sensitivity since the manipulation is controlled via the frequency – one of the most well-controlled properties in physics."

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.

• natural sciences physical sciences atomic physics
• engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware quantum computers
• natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

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.

• FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG - Marie Curie Action: "Reintegration Grants"

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG
See other projects for this call

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.

MC-ERG - European Re-integration Grants (ERG)

Coordinator