Projekt

Following the generation of Bose-Einstein condensates in cold atoms, other platforms have since been developed that also show this phase transition. These include, for example, thermalized photons in dye solutions, which were observed in optical resonators in 2010. Thermalization of the photons enables direct cooling of the condensates into microstructured potentials. However, the ability to dynamically control and couple several of these condensates remains a challenge for the development of quantum technology. The project team is aiming to establish spatially structured semiconductor chips as a platform for the condensates. Semiconductor quantum well structures are to be used as the active medium on a highly reflective Bragg mirror. The lateral confinement of the photons is achieved either by shaping the mirrors or by structuring the semiconductor surface. The coupling between neighboring condensates is piezoelectrically controlled, thus enabling the change of the tunneling rates between the condensates. The project team proposes to utilize this approach to simulate dynamic calibration fields for photons, for instance. In conjunction with the distinctive thermodynamic equilibrium characteristics of the photon condensates, the proposed solid-state chip platform offers a scalable architecture for quantum simulations, according to the applicants. This will facilitate the photonic simulation of complex physical phenomena such as the quantum Hall effect.

• Priv.-Doz. Dr. Alexander Pawlis

  Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
  Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI)
  JARA-Institut Energy-efficient information
  technology (PGI-10)
  Gebäude 02.6 / Raum 4024
  Jülich
  

• Prof. Martin Weitz

  Universität Bonn
  Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät
  Institut für angewandte Physik
  Fachgruppe Physik / Astronomie
  Bonn
  

• Dr. Frank Vewinger

  Universität Bonn
  Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät
  Institut für angewandte Physik
  Fachgruppe Physik / Astronomie
  Bonn