Quantum Optics of harmonic generation in resonant media

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Mikhail Ivanov
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 560535838

The overarching aim of our project is to bring together two areas of physics that did not overlap much in the past: attosecond physics and quantum optics. We will combine the attosecond process of harmonic generation with studying and controlling the quantum properties of the generated harmonic light. Our aim is to develop ways to generate, control, and shape bright quantum states of light in the visible and ultraviolet spectral range by using harmonic generation driven by standard infrared light sources. The success of this project will enable new approaches to generating bright quantum states of light using standard infrared (IR) light sources as the input. It will also add a new dimension to spectroscopy, where ultrafast non-equilibrium quantum dynamics of matter is imaged not only by looking at the classical properties of the generated optical response, but also at light’s quantum properties. This will provide a novel view into quantum fluctuations of non-equilibrium matter by mapping them onto the quantum properties of the generated light.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel
• Partner Organisation: The Israel Science Foundation
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Gilad Marcus