[w25/26] Quantum Simulation and Computing with Ultracold Matter (Zeiher, Bohrdt)

[w25/26] Photonics I (Karpowicz)

[w25/26] Generation of Ultra-Intense Laser Pulses (Karsch)

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of laser light dynamics, including both spectral and temporal pulse descriptions, as well as the generation and manipulation of ultrashort laser pulses using advanced techniques such as Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA).

Explore fundamental concepts like dispersion effects, non-linear phase propagation, and the intricacies of laser resonators, all intertwined with real-world applications. This course not only emphasizes theoretical knowledge but also involves practical insights into pulse diagnostics, ensuring a robust foundation in both the science and engineering of laser systems.

Join us to uncover the transformative potential of ultra-intense lasers and their vast applications in modern physics and technology.

[w25/26] Ultracold Atoms and Quantum Gases (Fölling)

[w25/26] Compact: Laser-Ion Acceleration (Schreiber)

[w25/26] Experimental Techniques for Quantum Optics (Alberti, Zeiher)

Short description
Ever-improving measurements and controls in the field of quantum optics have enabled the most precise measurements of time and made it possible to produce atomic gases at the coldest temperatures ever measured. This module introduces the main experimental techniques used in such experiments and focuses on practical applications in the laboratory. Topics include random processes and noise, control theory and feedback loops, electronics, photon detection, and optical elements. We will also discuss some practical applications of the techniques and methods presented in the lecture, with emphasis on stabilization of laser light.
List of topics:
  • Optics
  • Random processes
  • Laser frequency stabilization techniques
  • Control techniques
  • Photon detection
  • Electronics
Recommended Literature
  • E. Hecht, Optics (Addison-Wesley, 4th ed., 2002)
  • P. C. D. Hobbs, Building Electro-Optical Systems (Wiley, 2nd ed., 2009)
  • M. Born & E. Wolf, Principles of Optics (Cambridge Press, 7th ed., 2019)
  • B. E. A. Saleh & M. C. Teich, Saleh Malvin  Fundamentals of Photonics (Wiley, 3rd ed)
  • Daniel Steck, Analog and Digital Electronics (University of Oregon, 2023)
  • N. S. Nise, Control Systems Engineering (Wiley, 7th ed., 2015)
Registration:

Click this link to enroll on the course. The enrollment key will be provided during the first lecture.

[w25/26] Quantum Optics 1 (Bloch, Alberti)

Program

This module gives an introduction to the wide field of quantum optics. Subjects will include: from ray to wave optics, Gaussian beams, field quantization, Fock states, coherent states, squeezed states, thermal states, two-level systems, Jaynes-Cummings and dressed atoms as well as measurable consequences of the electromagnetic vacuum. If time permits, I will touch some aspects of correlations and photon statistics as well as topics on quantum information such as teleportation and quantum cryptography.

After completing the Module, the student is able to:

  1. Explain and calculate the properties of field states.
  2. Discuss various phenomena related to quantized light-atom interaction in two-level systems based on the Jaynes-Cummings-Model.
  3. Explain various experimental settings that can be used to study important quantum phenomena, such as vacuum Rabi oscillations or non-destructive measurements of photons.
  4. Understand various aspects of the quantum vacuum, such as spontaneous emission, the Purcell effect, the Casimir force, and the Lamb shift.
  5. Understand coherence phenomena and correlation functions. 
  6. Understand the role of entanglement and the generation of entangled photon pairs.
Standard textbooks of quantum optics, for example:

  • Quantum Optics, Mark Fox, Oxford University Press: Elementary introduction to quantum optics
  • The Quantum Theory of Light, Rodney Loudon, Oxford University Press: Classic quantum optics textbook, which provides a very good introduction (no discussion of modern experiments)
  • Quantum Optics, Marlan O. Scully, and M. Suhail Zubairy, Cambridge University Press: Advanced textbook on quantum optics (modern notation)
  • Quantum Electronics, A.Yariv, Wiley & Sons 1988
  • Fundamentals of Photoncs, B.E.A.Saleh & M.C.Teich, Wiley & Sons 1991
  • Quantum Optics, D.F. Walls & G.J. Milburn, Springer 2006
Time and location: see LSF web page
Registration
Please register on the Moodle website using the following link. The password will be announced on the first day of the lecture.

[w25/26] Experimental Quantum Computing and Quantum Error Correction

This lecture provides an introduction to quantum computing and quantum error correction. We will cover the basics of quantum computers, starting from the quantum mechanical concepts necessary to understand quantum computing. We will cover elementary examples of quantum operations and quantum circuits and see how quantum algorithms work. We will proceed learning about different experimental platforms suitable for quantum computing and what are the criteria they have to fulfill. We will see that in practice, all quantum computing platforms are prone to errors, and learn how to describe such errors theoretically. We will discuss quantum error correction, which was introduced to detect and correct errors occurring in quantum computation, and see different examples for quantum error correction codes that have been devised in the past years. We will see that due to the existence of the so-called threshold, there is hope that scalable quantum computation is feasible even in the presence of errors.