Date: Thursday 25 July, 2013

Time: 12.30 hours

Place: LECTURE ROOM F, Lorentzweg 1, Delft

Host: Leo Kouwenhoven

Speaker: Tobias Tiecke, Harvard University

Title: A single atom coupled to a photonic crystal nanocavity

Abstract: 

Hybrid quantum devices, in which dissimilar quantum systems are combined in order to attain qualities not available with either system alone, may enable far-reaching control in quantum measurement, sensing, and information processing. A paradigmatic example is trapped ultracold atoms, which offer excellent quantum coherent properties, coupled to nanoscale solid-state systems, which allow for strong interactions.

In this talk I will present our recent work on trapping single neutral atoms at sub-wavelength distances from nanophotonic structures. We have developed a method to deterministically trap single atoms with high fidelity near arbitrary nanoscale solid state structures. Using this method we couple a single atom to a photonic crystal nanocavity, and obtain single-atom single-photon Rabi frequencies as large as (2g) ~ 1 GHz. We position the atom with a resolution below the diffraction limit, probe the cavity near-field in a non-invasive manner and reach the Purcell enhanced regime with a cooperativity of C~10. Finally, I will briefly discuss several future directions of this line of research.