Laser-cooled samples of neutral atoms are novel media for the study of quantum optics and quantum information. We have developed periodic potentials of light capable of trapping cold atoms, called optical lattices. We will use these optical lattices in conjunction with laser-cooled and Bose-condensed atoms to study implementations of quantum logic operations, the building blocks for a quantum computer. In addition, we use these systems as many-body simulators to study model condensed matter physics. The isolation of neutral atoms from the environment makes them particularly attractive for such studies, where coherent manipulation of the internal and external states of the atoms will be required. We are interested in cavity quantum electrodynamics as a route to connecting quantum bits of information stored in atoms to quantum bits stored in photons, yielding transportable quantum information, and allowing the creation of quantum information networks. We are also working on generating squeezed light and entangled light beams using 4-wave mixing techniques. These beams include multi-spatial-mode versions that can be used for quantum imaging studies and to generate correlated photons or squeezed light beams that can interact with atomic Bose-condensates as a way to produce correlated or squeezed atom beams. We study “slow” and "fast" light in both hot and cold gases, as well as methods of constructing quantum optical amplifiers and memories. Research is conducted in collaboration with other experimental and theoretical groups at NIST.

 

Keywords:

Atomic spectra; Fluorescence spectra; Laser cooling; Quantum optics; Raman spectra; Squeezed light;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Regular applicants