Laboratory for Atomic and
Photonic Technologies
Latest Research
Superluminal and Subluminal lasers are produced by producing fast light condition or slow light condition inside the laser cavity. Such devices can be utilized for variety of precision metrological applications. By tailoring the dispersion inside the cavity, active or passive, the characteristics of such gyroscopes can be improved significantly.
Fast-Light Atomic Gyroscope
Fast LightWe have combined optical-domain Fourier Transforms with electronic-domain hardware (FPGAs) to perform ultra-fast shift, rotation, and scale invariant correlations. This system also incorporates a PQ:PMMA holographic database. We are working on reaching the maximum operational speed of 5μs per operation. This will allow the HOC to function as an input filter for more advanced image recognition systems.
Hybrid Optoelectronic Correlator
HolographyPQ:PMMA is a versatile holographic polymer which we manufacture for use in a variety of applications. We are especially interested in its use for wavelength division multiplexing, AKA beam combining. With this technology we are working on building a free space optical communication system at ~1550nm as well as a monocular passive ranging system that functions through O2 spectroscopy at ~760nm
PQ:PMMA Holographic WDM
HolographyWe are currently working on developing a photonic integrated circuit on an AlGaAs substrate for operation near 780nm. This chip will incorporate lasers, detectors, waveguides, isolators, modulators, and other components. The goal is to miniaturize most of the optics in our fast-light atomic gyroscope, which will help to bring it one step closer to practical implementation.
Photonic Integrated Circuit
Integrated PhotonicsOur new project aims to perform statistical squeezing on the angular momenta of a Rb-atom cloud, whereby a non-classical noise reduction leads to state-of-the-art measurement sensitivity in two critical applications—the atomic clock and the atomic sensor. Currently, we are building a squeezing-enhanced Raman atomic clock. Down the road, we will construct a squeezing-enhanced atomic magnetometer.
Enhanced Measurement by Squeezing
Cold Atom PhysicsWe are building a quantum gyroscope that senses the rotation of the base of the gyroscope with atom interferometry. The type of interferomemter we use is the point source atom intereferometer (PSI). To enhance its sensitivity, we incorporate the technique of large momentum transfer.
