Photons for Quantum Simulation

PhoQuS

Funded by: European Commission  
Calls: H2020-FETFLAG-2018-03
Start date: 2018-10-01  End date: 2022-03-31
Total Budget: EUR 2.999.757,50  INO share of the total budget: EUR 149.987,50
Scientific manager: Alberto Bramati   and for INO is: Carusotto Iacopo

Organization/Institution/Company main assignee: Sorbonne Université

other Organization/Institution/Company involved:
UBO-RHEINISCHE FRIEDRICH-WILHELMS-UNIVERSITAT BONN
CNRS CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
IST- INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TECNICO
Imperial -IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
SAPIENZA UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA
UPDiderot – UNIVERSITE PARIS DIDEROT – PARIS 7
University of Glasgow

other INO’s people involved:



Abstract: Quantum simulation is an emerging and exciting field for which several systems, such as ultracold-atoms, trapped ions or superconducting circuits are being actively investigated.
In this project we aim to develop a novel platform for quantum simulation, based on photonic quantum fluids.
Quantum fluids of light can be realised in different photonic systems with suitable nonlinearities, allowing to engineer an effective photon-photon interaction.
The photon-photon interaction necessary to form a superfluid is provided by the optical nonlinearity of the medium.
We will first fully characterize the superfluid and quantum turbulent regimes for quantum fluids of light, investigating the propagation in optically controlled landscapes with the demonstration of important milestones such as many-body localization and the superfluid to Mott–insulator transition.
Based on these achievements and on the unprecedented flexibility offered by the all- optical control in quantum fluids of light, we will implement quantum simulations and simulate systems of very different nature, ranging from astrophysics to condensed matter. Fundamental open questions such as superconductivity, black hole physics, and quantum gravity will be addressed within the photon fluid platform.