Generation and manipulation of quantum sound
Quantum physics has been at the very heart of understanding the inner workings of nature and has led to the beginning of a modern technological revolution. Over the past decades, more and more physical systems have been used in quantum experiments. Yet, despite their tantalizing theoretical potential, full and comprehensive quantum control over phonons, in particular of traveling acoustic waves, has remained an elusive goal, mainly due to technical challenges. I have recently been part of the exciting new developments that set the stage for the field of quantum acoustics. I now propose to investigate novel regimes and applications of quantum physics with quantum excitations of mechanical waves at the nanoscale. My aim is to be able to control acoustic phonons to the same level as we currently achieve in the manipulation of optical photons in quantum optics.
I will use new concepts like on-chip phonon routing, filtering, delaying and single-phonon detection to achieve full quantum control over individual phonons. Q-ECHOS is based on novel ideas and approaches, which have only recently become experimentally accessible through state-of-the-art photonic crystal-based quantum optomechanical systems realized in my group. This will allow for the observation of new physical phenomena, understand the decoherence mechanisms of other quantum systems, create hybrid quantum devices and open up completely new possibilities for quantum information processing.
The research will not only have lasting impact on optomechanics and quantum physics, but will also pave the way for new technologies, such as quantum transducers for sensor applications, as well as for novel classical communication technologies. The breakthroughs in quantum optomechanics and my strong track record in this area will allow me to achieve exciting results through Q-ECHOS that will break new grounds.