Harnessing genuine quantum nonlocality. This project aims to develop the science and tools behind device-independent quantum security for information networks. These gold-standard protocols rely on genuine quantum nonlocality but, to date, the strict performance requirements have been unachievable for general practical cases. Further, the theory of nonlocality in multiparty networks is almost completely undeveloped. The project’s anticipated outcomes are novel experiment and theory to bypass bar ....Harnessing genuine quantum nonlocality. This project aims to develop the science and tools behind device-independent quantum security for information networks. These gold-standard protocols rely on genuine quantum nonlocality but, to date, the strict performance requirements have been unachievable for general practical cases. Further, the theory of nonlocality in multiparty networks is almost completely undeveloped. The project’s anticipated outcomes are novel experiment and theory to bypass barriers and open up nonlocal network protocols. It is also expected to rigorously establish that a single-photon wavefunction after a beamsplitter is truly nonlocal. Likely future benefits include secure random numbers, secure distributed information technology and world-best photon sources.Read moreRead less
Active photonic and plasmonic components based on parity-time symmetry. This project intends to uncover and demonstrate experimentally the role of symmetry in space and time in nonlinear photonics and plasmonics, where light can change the optical properties of the medium. Based on these results, the project aims to build an integrated optical signal amplifier and an integrated generator of entangled photons with previously inaccessible ultra-fast broad-range control of operating regimes. These ....Active photonic and plasmonic components based on parity-time symmetry. This project intends to uncover and demonstrate experimentally the role of symmetry in space and time in nonlinear photonics and plasmonics, where light can change the optical properties of the medium. Based on these results, the project aims to build an integrated optical signal amplifier and an integrated generator of entangled photons with previously inaccessible ultra-fast broad-range control of operating regimes. These systems would have applications in future optical communication networks, ensuring fast, secure and energy efficient data transmission.Read moreRead less
Atomic forces for sorting ultrabright nanodiamonds. This project aims to sort fluorescent nanodiamonds according to their brightness using atomic radiation pressure. Fluorescent nanodiamonds can overcome all limitations associated with conventional fluorescent bio-labels. While readily available, their brightness varies greatly, so a method for yielding high-quality material with consistent brightness is needed. This project combines techniques from laser manipulation of cold atoms and microflui ....Atomic forces for sorting ultrabright nanodiamonds. This project aims to sort fluorescent nanodiamonds according to their brightness using atomic radiation pressure. Fluorescent nanodiamonds can overcome all limitations associated with conventional fluorescent bio-labels. While readily available, their brightness varies greatly, so a method for yielding high-quality material with consistent brightness is needed. This project combines techniques from laser manipulation of cold atoms and microfluidics to create an optofluidic method of particle separation. The proposed device could sort nanodiamonds more than a billion times faster than active sorting techniques. This is expected to lead to better tools for bio-imaging and bio-manipulation.Read moreRead less
Heisenberg-limited lasers: building the revolution. The project aims to design and build a revolutionary new type of laser based on the ground-breaking 2020 Nature Physics paper by the two Chief Investigators. The significance of this work is that it overturns 60 years of theory about the limits to laser coherence, by applying 21st century quantum theory and quantum technology to the problem. This project expects to greatly advance the theory and, by instigating a collaboration with world-leadin ....Heisenberg-limited lasers: building the revolution. The project aims to design and build a revolutionary new type of laser based on the ground-breaking 2020 Nature Physics paper by the two Chief Investigators. The significance of this work is that it overturns 60 years of theory about the limits to laser coherence, by applying 21st century quantum theory and quantum technology to the problem. This project expects to greatly advance the theory and, by instigating a collaboration with world-leading experimentalists working with superconducting quantum devices, to demonstrate a laser with coherence beyond what was thought possible. Benefits of the project should flow from the manifold applications for highly coherent radiation, including scaling up superconducting quantum computing.Read moreRead less
Enlightening single rare-earth atoms in scanning-tunnelling microscopy. This project aims to create a tool to systematically engineer optical properties of emitters in solids by understanding and manipulating materials atom by atom. The tool – an optically enhanced scanning tunnelling microscope – is expected to drive future developments in optical technologies. The project expects to deliver an atomic-scale understanding of rare-earth sites optimised for sensing and coherence. The expected outc ....Enlightening single rare-earth atoms in scanning-tunnelling microscopy. This project aims to create a tool to systematically engineer optical properties of emitters in solids by understanding and manipulating materials atom by atom. The tool – an optically enhanced scanning tunnelling microscope – is expected to drive future developments in optical technologies. The project expects to deliver an atomic-scale understanding of rare-earth sites optimised for sensing and coherence. The expected outcomes include highly developed theoretical insights into solid-state emitters and how to control their interactions with light and other fields. The expected benefit based on the ability to engineer optimised emitters for optical sensors and quantum technologies will transform material science from exploration to design.Read moreRead less