Innovation Area - Sensing technology to control quantum systems, Quantum technology for advanced quantum imaging methods, Photonic systems for quantum control and information processing

HoloQ - Developing novel holographic methods for applications with ultracold atoms

We will develop powerful, novel methods based on holography, for applications with ultracold atoms in optical lattices. Optical lattices are ideally suited for a range of important applications such as quantum computing and simulation, and studies of condensed matter physics problems. For such devices it is crucial to precisely determine how many atoms there are at each lattice site and which spin state they have, while only disturbing them minimally. Furthermore, it can be crucial that the optical lattices have a special non-trivial spatial layout in 3D (e.g., not periodic). We must also manipulate lattice sites individually via optical light fields.

These challenges can be elegantly tackled using holographic methods in combination with standard imaging methods. For this, we will develop holographic imaging in an optical lattice with single site and single atom resolution, using only a few photons per atoms. Furthermore, we will develop computer-generated holograms on optical fiber tips to generate non-standard 3D optical light fields in order to trap and manipulate atoms in complex 3D-configurations.

The groups from Jena, Stuttgart, and Ulm each contribute with their respective expertise which is crucial for the success of the project. This includes precision optical design and theoretical holography, microscopic 3D hologram fabrication, and experiments with ultracold atoms.