SIMUNE Atomistic Simulations’ Post

Congratulations! The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a nearly $20 million award that will support the construction of a nanoscale fabrication facility at the University of Colorado Boulder to accelerate the co-design and development of atomic-photonic #quantum devices, positioning the U.S. as a global leader in quantum science and engineering. This means researchers at #CUBoulder will soon begin work on what they’re calling the “quantum machine shop” of the 21st century. In this facility, Colorado researchers and quantum specialists from around the country will be able to design and build incredibly small devices that tap into the world of atoms and photons—the tiny packets of energy that make up light. Once the facility is complete, users from CU Boulder, Colorado industry and government labs and from across the United States, will be able to employ the various #nanofabrication tools to begin creating new technologies. These may include the core integrated components of clocks that can keep time based on the “ticking” of #atoms or quantum computer chips that may outperform the fastest computers on the market today. Read more from the #NSF and #CUBoulder: https://lnkd.in/gYZn9yjN

DARPA's own Dr. Joseph Altepeter, quantum physicist in our Microsystems Technology Office, does it again: He turns the perplexing topic of #quantum computing into an understandable look at its potential. Voices from DARPA listeners may know him better as The Quantum Mechanic from episode 71; here, he offers more insight into his research and DARPA's cutting-edge national security work.

📝New analog simulators can facilitate the study of ultrafast dynamics processes ICFO researchers Javier Argüello Luengo, Javier Rivera Dean, Philipp Stammer led by the ICREA Prof. at ICFO Maciej Lewenstein and in collaboration with other institutes all over the globe (Aarhus University, University of California and Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology [GTIIT] ) have theoretically proposed a new experimental platform based on analog simulation with atom clouds to study high-harmonic generation, an ultrafast dynamic process whose study challenges conventional computational methods. Their simulator can be adapted to approach a wide range of complex phenomena, opening the door to regimes that theory and direct experimentation are struggling to reach. Paper published in Physical Review X Quantum ICFO News 👉https://bit.ly/3wu5wUl

I am delighted to announce the successful defense of my thesis, titled 'Novel Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Devices for Applications in Free-Space Optics, Data Security, and Microwave Photonics.' This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in my academic journey. I extend my sincere gratitude to my esteemed advisor, Pr. Frédéric Grillot, and my co-advisor, Dr. Olivier Spitz, for their guidance and support throughout this research endeavor. Their expertise has been instrumental in shaping the depth and quality of my work. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the esteemed members of my thesis committee, Pr. Delphine Marris-Morini and Pr. Manijeh Razeghi, for their invaluable feedback that has greatly enhanced the quality of the manuscript. I would also like to express my gratitude to the President of the jury committee, Pr. Anne Amy-Klein, and the jury members, Pr. Carlo Sirtori, Pr. Alexei Baranov, and Dr. Grégory Maisons, for their time, expertise, and thoughtful contributions during the defense. This study explores innovative applications of mid-infrared quantum cascade devices for free-space optics, addressing critical areas such as high data rates, data security, and microwave photonics. An advanced summary and the complete thesis manuscript can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/edAdhRxa #ThesisDefense #QuantumCascadeDevices #MidInfrared #DataSecurity #MicrowavePhotonics #FreeSpaceOpticalCommunication

🚀 Excited to have completed an insightful summer school course on Quantum Mechanics for Photonics! 🌟 A huge thanks to Dr. Maksim Shundalau from the University of Salerno, Italy, for leading this course. Hosted by the University of Eastern Finland, the course provided an in-depth exploration of the quantum mechanics underlying molecular systems and low-dimensional materials. The course also included hands-on modeling of the structure and different properties of diatomic and polyatomic molecules, using Quantum ESPRESSO and GAMESS software. #QuantumMechanics #Photonics #MolecularSystems #LowDimensionalMaterials #QuantumESPRESSO #GAMESS #DFT #MolecularModeling #UniversityOfEasternFinland #LifelongLearning

New addition to the #skQCI team This week we are pleased to welcome our new young researcher from France, Younes Benamara. Younes’ background includes simulation work for the studying the morphology of 2D structures and statistical study of systems using different machine learning methods. Supervised by Dr. Djeylan Aktas, his thesis “Experimental quantum photonics for quantum communications” will aim to leverage nonlinear optics to build and exploit photon pair sources for quantum communication . His research will focus on interfacing photonic layers with classical network and post-processing data to create a #QKD prototype to be deployed in an academic Slovak test-bed. This will pave the way to many future new potential research like the possibility to investigate new quantum communication protocols which also rely on the distribution of entanglement. His #PhD is fully covered by European grant #EuroQCI DIGITAL. #quantumcommunication #eduQUTE

Abstract – "We propose a novel type of phononic crystal for which the materials parameters are continuous functions of space coordinates without discontinuities corresponding to a seamless fusion of the constituent materials within the crystal lattice. With the help of an adaptation of this fundamental approach, we extend the well-established concept of phononic crystals, allowing an investigation of the transition from conventional phononic crystals with a regulated step-like parameter function to the realm of so-called function phononic crystals. Our study is based on a first-principle theory assisted by high-performance computer simulations and focuses on an understanding of the effects of a deviation from the typical parameter step function on the phononic density of states (DOS). Our exploration of the DOS reveals a characteristic rapid convergence: even a slight deviation from an ideal step function has the potential to induce radical changes in the band structure leading to the emergence of desirable features, especially multiple complete phononic band gaps" https://lnkd.in/eSPZasJk

Today on #AQ2F, Tyler Sweatt is joined by Joseph Altepeter from Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)'s Microsystems Technology Office. They discuss the enigmatic world of quantum mechanics, demystifying its complexities and exploring its potential to revolutionize our understanding of the universe and technology. What's Happening on the Second Front: • Simplifying complex quantum principles • DARPA’s role in innovation • Separating fact from fiction with quantum technology • When/how innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs should engage with DARPA • Future of quantum technology & the potential applications and impacts Tune in here: https://lnkd.in/gcQMcS-t

ICYMI: QIA researchers at ICFO led by our Long Distance Team lead Hugues de Riedmatten recently published a paper presenting advancements in quantum memory technology, specifically using a solid-state approach. Titled "Efficient cavity-assisted storage of photonic qubits in a solid-state quantum memory", this study reported a record storage efficiency for single-photon-level light signals and for photonic qubits, with 95% fidelity, using a cavity-enhanced solid-state quantum memory. Storing quantum information efficiently and accurately is essential for the realisation of a #quantuminternet. To read the full study, click here: https://lnkd.in/gN-QP22D Authors: Stefano Duranti, Sören Wengerowsky, Leo Feldmann, Alessandro Seri, Bernardo Casabone, and Hugues de Riedmatten

Gustas Liaugminas, a physicist at the FTMC Department of Laser Technologies, has been awarded a PhD 🎓 He defended his thesis on "Nonlinear Pulse Formation in Optical Fibers" (academic supervisor: Dr. Kęstutis Regelskis) 📝 Congratulations to our colleague, good luck in your future work! 🙌 Gustas hopes that his work will contribute to the development of optical fiber technologies suitable for small satellites, data protection, quantum communication and other areas of societal interest 🌐 "The essence of my work is that when ultra-short, high-peak-power laser pulses are propagated through optical fibers, various non-linear optical phenomena are observed that can broaden the spectrum of the pulse - or convert the pulse to other wavelengths. These phenomena open up new applications and avoid some of the limitations encountered with pulsed fiber lasers," says G. Liaugminas. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/daTSJmyH