Development of density matrix equations for photons for the description of electromagnetic fields in quantum mechanical systems

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Dirk Schulz
• Subject Area: Hardware Systems and Architectures for Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Engineering Systems
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 550317433

Quantum effects are increasingly gaining importance in a variety of application areas, including nanoelectronics for miniaturization, quantum computing, photonics for quantum dot lasers, and optical communication technology for quantum encoding and quantum cryptography. The use of field operators in quantum field theory allows for a precise analysis of particle interactions in the electromagnetic field. However, in this analysis, the quantization of the electromagnetic field is often represented by modes, limiting the exploitation of the potentials of classical numerical methods for solving Maxwell's equations. Additionally, the modal analysis approach requires significant numerical effort. Therefore, the goal is to further develop numerical methods for analyzing time-dependent electromagnetic fields with a focus on quantization. This involves implementing equations of motion for field operators of annihilation and creation using the Wigner formalism to transform them into density matrix equations for photons, enabling a self-consistent consideration of charge carrier transport.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants