Universität Wien

260103 VU Advanced Methods in quantum optomechanics: from atoms to solids (2021W)

5.00 ECTS (3.00 SWS), SPL 26 - Physik
Continuous assessment of course work
ON-SITE
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 15 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 12.10. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Tuesday 19.10. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Tuesday 09.11. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Tuesday 16.11. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Tuesday 23.11. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Tuesday 30.11. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Tuesday 07.12. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Tuesday 14.12. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Tuesday 11.01. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien
  • Tuesday 18.01. 15:45 - 18:00 Kurt-Gödel-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course aims to explore the field of quantum optomechanics with a special emphasis on optically trapped atoms and levitated solid-state objects. Levitated optomechanics is at the forefront of research in quantum optics. The lectures will cover fundamental concepts and provide students with a firm grasp of the subject. In-depth calculations during the lectures will further deepen understanding of the most important concepts. Lectures will sometimes be organized as a flipped classroom.
We will cover following topics in the lectures:
1 Optical levitation: optical tweezers, gradient and scattering force on dielectric nanoparticles, harmonic oscillator. Basic concepts of optical cavities.
2 Classical theory of light-matter interaction: feedback and cavity cooling
3 Quantization of light and motion: input-output formalism, thermal bath model (Caldeira-Leggett model)
4 Quantization of light and motion: interaction Hamiltonian, Langevin equations, ground state cooling, thermometry
5 Optomechanics with atoms and levitated nanoparticles
6 Mode hybridization
7 Quantum effects: entanglement, squeezing, sub-SQL detection
8 Force sensing and fundamental physics

Method: Lectures and exercises will require active participation. Lectures will be organized mostly as a knowledge transfer and occasionally as flipped classroom. Materials will be made available to students on Moodle.

Outcome: Students will get acquainted with research methods in quantum optomechanics. The students will acquire fundamental understanding of broad set of topics: optical trapping, power spectral densities (evaluation of system properties in frequency/Fourier domain), plotting and fitting of harmonic oscillator motion, (quantum) harmonic oscillator and dissipation, light-matter interaction, entanglement

Assessment and permitted materials

Maximum number of points is 100. Final grade will be formed based on several independent evaluations of student’s participation:
- Three homework assignments will be provided during the semester. A new problem set will be announced in a lecture and the deadline will be set for two weeks from that moment. One week into the deadline (at the lecture a week after the problem set was posted) there will be an opportunity to discuss the problems and resolve any issues regarding solutions. Students are expected to submit their solutions via Moodle before the deadline. Homework assignments will in total carry 30 points (out of 100).
- Student conference on 18.01.2022: Students will choose one seminal scientific paper from a list presented by the lecturer during the lecture on 14.12.2021. Students will then have to prepare a 12 minute talk (10 min talk, 2 min questions). Students are encouraged to ask questions: each question about a colleague’s talk will be rewarded with 2 points. The presentation will carry 70 points (out of 100).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Students have to obtain at least 50% of points in each category in order to pass the exam. The final grade will be calculated per following scheme:
85-100: 1
75-85: 2
65-75: 3
50-65: 4
0-50: you shall not pass

Examination topics

Topics covered in the lectures and exercises.

Reading list

Will be continuously updated on Moodle during the course.

Association in the course directory

M-VAF A 2, M-VAF B

Last modified: Th 14.10.2021 00:06