RUI: Microwave to Optical Frequency Conversion Through Six-wave Mixing

RUI：通过六波混频实现微波到光频率转换

基本信息

批准号：
2110357
负责人：
Erik Brekke
金额：
$ 24.8万
依托单位：
St. Norbert College
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Continuing Grant
财政年份：
2021
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2021-09-01 至 2024-08-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2110357&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
RUI Microwave Optical Frequency Conversion

项目摘要

General audience abstract:Quantum computation and optical communication require coherent light sources over a wide range of frequencies. The ability to convert between the “telecom” wavelengths used in optical fiber networks and those used for atomic systems in quantum computation is an important part of furthering communications technology, and would allow more effective information sharing throughout society. This work focuses on the fundamental quantitative interactions between atoms and light, and how these interactions can be used to generate coherent sources at novel wavelengths. Atoms in highly energetic quantum states have been shown to be extremely sensitive to microwaves, providing the impetus for their use in microwave to optical frequency conversion. Many promising quantum computation schemes use microwave transitions to control quantum states, while optical fiber technology makes use of high transmission in the infrared. As a result, this frequency conversion could be an essential part of coupling quantum computation systems to telecom systems. Additionally, as a Research in Undergraduate Institutions project, this work will have a significant effect on the further development of the experimental physics workforce, helping to prepare and motivate undergraduate students for careers in science by developing their skills in experimental technique, data analysis, computation, and scientific communication.Technical audience abstract:Using four lasers which are readily attainable, hot rubidium atoms can be used to generate a coherent infrared source dependent on the application of microwaves or vice-versa. The process makes use of rubidium atoms excited to Rydberg levels with n50, such that transitions between nearby states are resonant with microwave frequencies. The primary objective of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of using six-wave mixing in hot rubidium atoms as a microwave-infrared frequency conversion method. Through the simultaneous application of multiple lasers connecting atomic states in a process called wave mixing, new directional and coherent light sources, both optical and microwave, will be produced and the process of their generation optimized. Power and frequency characteristics of their output will be explored as a function of the power, polarization and frequency of the input sources, as well as the Rydberg state used. This research will provide analysis of wave mixing in rubidium atoms, which has the potential to greatly advance the scientific community's understanding of six-wave mixing. While four-wave mixing has been extensively investigated and used, higher wave-mixing remains relatively unexplored. The use of higher wave-mixing allows the exploration of novel wavelengths for coherent light while still using common and convenient atomic systems.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

普通受众摘要：量子计算和光学通信需要在广泛频率上连贯的光源。在光纤网络中使用的“电信”波长与量子计算中原子系统使用的波长之间转换的能力是进一步通信技术的重要组成部分，并且将允许在整个社会中更有效的信息共享。这项工作着重于原子与光之间的基本定量相互作用，以及如何使用这些相互作用来在新波长下产生相干来源。高能量子状态中的原子已被证明对微波非常敏感，从而为它们在微波炉中用于光学频率转换提供了动力。许多承诺量子计算方案使用微波过渡来控制量子状态，而光纤技术则利用红外线中的高传输。结果，这种频率转换可能是将量子计算系统耦合到电信系统的重要组成部分。此外，作为一项本科机构项目的研究，这项工作将对实验物理劳动力的进一步发展产生重大影响，有助于通过发展实验技术，数据分析，计算和科学沟通的摘要来准备和激励本科生从事科学职业的科学技能。微波或反之亦然。该过程利用了与N50的Rydberg水平激发的Rubidium原子，因此近状态之间的过渡与微波频率共鸣。这项工作的主要目的是证明在热rubidium原子中使用六波混合作为微波频率转换方法的可行性。通过简单地应用多个在称为波混合的过程中连接原子态的激光器，将产生新的方向性和相干光源，包括光学和微波炉，并优化其生成过程。其输出的功率和频率特性将作为输入源的功率，极化和频率以及所使用的Rydberg状态的功率探索。这项研究将对Rubidium原子中的波浪混合进行分析，这有可能大大促进科学界对六波混合的理解。尽管已经对四波混合进行了广泛的研究和使用，但更高的波浪混合仍然相对出乎意料。较高的波浪混合的使用允许探索新型波长，同时仍使用常见和方便的原子系统。该奖项反映了NSF的法定任务，并被认为是通过基金会的知识分子和更广泛的影响来审查标准的评估，认为它值得通过评估。