Next-Generation quantum light-matter interfaces based on atom arrays and nanophotonic waveguides
The fellow will investigate the use of atom arrays as next-generation quantum light-matter interfaces. He will be hosted by the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona, Spain. At ICFO, he will be integrated in the Theoretical Quantum-Nano Physics group under the supervision of Prof. Darrick Chang.

Quantum atom-light interfaces have the potential to significantly impact all four domains of Quantum Computation, Communication, Metrology, and Simulation prioritized by the European Quantum Technologies Roadmap. All these future quantum technologies require the ability to efficiently interface light and matter at the level of single quanta. However, despite decades of research in quantum optics, current light-matter interfaces still struggle to meet this requirement at the level needed for robust applications.

LuMiNouS is a multidisciplinary, theoretical study of a novel approach based on one-dimensional subwavelength arrays of atoms near nanophotonic waveguides, which are now becoming available experimentally. We aim to show that the spatial ordering and low dimensionality give rise to powerful, previously unexploited interference effects. This new paradigm promises exponential improvements in the fidelity of quantum information processing protocols. LuMiNouS on one hand aims to develop novel protocols with dramatically better error scalings than currently known approaches, and on the other hand will remove the disconnect between theory and experiment by understanding and exploiting real-world complexities.

To reach the first objective, we will, in particular, focus on using atom arrays to significantly improve the performance of quantum repeaters, and on realizing high-fidelity interactions between individual photons, a prerequisite for realizing coherent photon-photon gates. Our efforts towards the second objective will be focused on mitigating imperfect lattice filling, and exploiting the atoms' quantized motion as a powerful, previously untapped resource.