Project Details
Projekt
Measurement platform for characterization of active photonic integrated elements for quantum sensors
Subject Area
Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
Term
Funded in 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 571853574
The proposed large-scale device is intended to realize a development and test platform for laser light delivery and conditioning based on photonic integrated circuits (PICs) in the UV to NIR range, which can be used for compact optical chip clocks and quantum sensors, scalable quantum computers and other versatile systems with a wide range of wavelengths. It will be used to develop and characterize active photonic integrated elements made of UV-compatible materials such as switches, AOMs, EOMs and PIC lasers and to investigate the frequency stability of nanophotonic integrated laser systems. The test platform is composed as follows: A white light laser in conjunction with adjustable filters. This enables the characterization of active and passive nanophotonics from the UV to NIR range as well as the measurement of broadband responses of systems, such as the transmission and reflection of meta-surfaces. With the help of a resonator with a reference laser system and a wavelength measuring device, PIC lasers will be stabilized and measured and characterized for use in quantum technology applications. The measuring station is completed by an imaging analysis system for the photonically integrated chips and simulation capacities for design, cross-checks and validation of the nanophotonic components. The versatility of the large-scale device should be emphasized. In addition to lasers and photonic components for quantum sensor technology, PICs for photonic and ion-based quantum computing, quantum cryptography based on semiconductor quantum dots and biosensor technology can also be investigated. AG Mehlstäubler contributes significantly to the establishment and strengthening of quantum research and optical technologies in Germany as a research location within the two clusters of excellence Quantum Frontiers and PhoenixD, in the Quantum Valley Lower Saxony research association and in numerous national and European research projects. The development platform applied for here for the new OPTICUM research building in Hannover/Marienwerder will enable the research group to continue pioneering work in the scaling and miniaturization of ion-based quantum systems and quantum applications in existing and future research projects at federal and EU level and, in particular, to strengthen the connection and collaboration with other research groups at Leibniz Universität Hannover. The measuring station is designed for an operating period of 10 years and should be flexible enough to be easily adapted to current developments and new experimental requirements.
DFG Programme
Major Research Instrumentation
Major Instrumentation
Messplattform für die Charakterisierung aktiver photonisch-integrierter Elemente für Quantensensoren
Instrumentation Group
5700 Festkörper-Laser
Applicant Institution
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
