The interaction of light and matter plays a major role in AMO physics. Our ability to harness and extract information from increasingly complex and interacting systems, ranging from atoms to molecules to real materials is often driven by our capacity to tailor light and develop specialized sources of light. On the other hand, advancing light sources itself is a scientific task that requires utmost control of atoms, molecules, collective states of atoms, and solid-state environments.
To this end, we develop, generate and apply light sources across a broad spectral range. We explore methods to generate classical laser light at photon energies in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectral region, outside the range that is accessible with conventional laser technology, and we also learn how to make light sources that are increasingly complex in their quantum state. Furthermore, we seek to understand the prospects for utilizing classical and quantum light sources in systems extending all the way to biophysical environments. With the advancements of each of these light source developments we will focus on the application to specific challenges.
Specific topics in this major research activity include:
- Frequency comb vacuum ultraviolet light sources for a nuclear-referenced clock
- Non-classical absorption with entangled photon pairs
- Tailoring propagating quantum states
The Physics Frontiers Centers (PFC) program supports university-based centers and institutes where the collective efforts of a larger group of individuals can enable transformational advances in the most promising research areas. The program is designed to foster major breakthroughs at the intellectual frontiers of physics by providing needed resources such as combinations of talents, skills, disciplines, and/or specialized infrastructure, not usually available to individual investigators or small groups, in an environment in which the collective efforts of the larger group can be shown to be seminal to promoting significant progress in the science and the education of students. PFCs also include creative, substantive activities aimed at enhancing education, broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented groups, and outreach to the scientific community and general public.