Synthetic Gauge Fields in Quantum Optics

SynOptic

Funded by: European Commission  
Calls: H2020-MSCA-IF-2014
Start date: 2015-10-01  End date: 2017-09-30
Total Budget: EUR 168.277,20  INO share of the total budget: EUR 168.277,20
Scientific manager: Carusotto Iacopo   and for INO is: Carusotto Iacopo

Organization/Institution/Company main assignee: CNR – Istituto Nazionale di Ottica (INO)

other Organization/Institution/Company involved:

other INO’s people involved:

Price Hannah


Abstract: Synthetic gauge fields have many important physical consequences in quantum optical systems. This fast-growing topic of
research is opening up new possibilities for the lossless optical transmission of information, for improved optical
components, such as optical isolators, and even for fault-free topological quantum computing. We explore how to push
cutting-edge experiments towards these goals by theoretically studying the interplay of synthetic gauge fields with optical
nonlinearity, pumping and loss in photonic devices. The systems we shall investigate range from artificial graphene and
other condensed matter models simulated with microcavities; to lattices of classical pendula and waveguides; to strongly
correlated fractional quantum Hall-like states of light and their exotic excitations. Our work will have an immediate impact
through international experimental collaborations and an interdisciplinary approach building on our combined range of
expertise. We will exploit concepts and techniques from diverse research areas including quantum fluids, topological phases
of matter, solid-state systems and non-equilibrium physics. Our project couples the investigation of novel phenomena arising
from gauge fields in many-body systems with the hunt for new and improved technological applications in photonics.