Sequential parametric amplification: quantum technology with multimode light

• Applicant: Professorin Maria Chekhova, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 499995074

Parametric amplification plays an important role in many quantum technologies. A parametric amplifier is as indispensable as an operational amplifier in classical electronics. The very noise of a parametric amplifier is squeezed vacuum, the workhorse of quantum optics. By placing two parametric amplifiers in sequence one obtains the so-called SU(1,1) interferometer, theoretically proposed decades ago but realized in experiment only recently. This is an example of an active interferometer; it outperforms conventional passive interferometers and provides new topologies suitable for many quantum applications. Confirmed by recent experiments, sequential parametric amplification provides:- phase sensitivity beyond the shot-noise limit; - possibility of ultra-broadband (up to 120THz) optical homodyne detection by using the second amplifier as an optical homodyne device;- tolerance to detection loss provided that the second amplifier gain is sufficiently high.SPARQL will develop multimode sequential parametric amplification and use it for current needs of quantum technology. We will consider parametric amplification of both spatial/angular modes and temporal/frequency modes. As a result, we will implement the following techniques, with tolerance to loss:- squeezing-enhanced imaging and microscopy;- squeezing-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and wide-field microscopy, with orders of magnitude speedup due to the multimode structure;- squeezing-enhanced frequency-multimode quantum key distribution.Moreover, we will address a new area of non-Gaussian frequency-multimode quantum sensing to overcome limits of squeezed-enhanced sensing, spectroscopy and microscopy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Czech Republic, France, Israel
• Cooperation Partners: Professor Dr. Radim Filip; Dr. Yoad Michael; Professor Avi Peer, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Nicolas Treps