Cavity optomechanical device
We are interested in the physics and engineering of nanophotonic devices in the context of quantum information science, metrology, communications, and sensing. We use nanofabrication technology to develop engineered geometries that strongly enhance light-matter interactions, such as parametric nonlinear optical processes, coupling to quantum emitters, and acousto-optic effects. We study the basic device-level physics and tailor devices for specific applications, and our research generally involves computational modeling, nanofabrication, and optoelectronic and quantum photonic characterization. Recent topics have included quantum frequency conversion, single-photon and entangled-photon generation, microresonator frequency combs, optical parametric oscillators, and cavity electro-optomechanical transducers.
More generally, nanophotonic systems offer us the ability to study interesting physics in a controllable way, using platforms that are inherently suitable for the development of new technologies. Our labs are at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD, and the Joint Quantum Institute at the University of Maryland in College Park.
3D-Printed Polymer Wires Enhance Quantum Light Technology
JQI Fellow Kartik Srinivasan and his colleagues have introduced an innovative method for improving single-photon collection—an essential step in advancing secure communications, high-precision imaging and quantum computing. By integrating new fabrication techniques, the research teams demonstrated a scalable and highly adaptable approach to guiding single photons efficiently into optical fibers.
JQI Researcher Awarded Distinguished Research Scientist Prize
JQI Research Scientist Grégory Moille has received the Distinguished Research Scientist Prize from the College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland. The award comes with a $5,000 prize and celebrates his research excellence.
Zhaohui Ma
Zhaohui Ma is a postdoctoral researcher working at NIST and UMD. He received a B.S. in Applied Physics from Shaanxi University of Science and Technology and earned his PhD in Physics from the Stevens Institute of Technology, where his dissertation focused on nonlinear frequency conversion and quantum light generation in the thin film lithium niobate platform. Currently, he is working on topics involving nonlinear wave mixing and electro-optic effects in photonic integrated circuits.
A new approach to spectroscopy of quantum systems using nonlinear integrated photonics
We demonstrate that nanophotonic spectral translation of electro-optic frequency combs is a versatile and compelling approach for addressing high-resolution spectroscopy needs in quantum science and technology.
Review article on integrated lasers in the visible and short near-infrared regimes
We have written a review article describing advances in chip-integrated laser technologies in the visible and short near-infrared wavelength regimes.
New paper on cavity QED with integrated photonics and atomic vapors
In a new paper, we demonstrate interactions between vapor-phase Rb atoms and an integrated photonic microresonator down to the few-atom, few-photon level.
New results on chip-scale lasers based on nonlinear integrated photonics
In two new papers, we describe how to increase the continuous tuning range of chip-integrated optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) and we demonstrate dense coverage of the so-called 'green gap' spectral region using such OPOs.
Tiny New Lasers Fill a Long-Standing Gap in Visible-Light Colors, Opening New Applications
It’s not easy making green. For years, scientists have fabricated small, high-quality lasers that generate red and blue light, but the same method hasn’t worked as well in building tiny lasers that emit green light. Green laser pointers have existed for 25 years but only produce light in a narrow spectrum of green and are not integrated in chips. Researchers refer to the dearth of stable, miniature lasers in this region of the visible-light spectrum as the “green gap.” Now a team led by JQI Fellow Kartik Srinivasan has closed the green gap by modifying a tiny optical component: a ring-shaped microresonator, small enough to fit on a chip.
New Photonic Chip Spawns Nested Topological Frequency Comb
In new work, researchers at JQI have combined two lines of research into a new method for generating frequency combs.