Generating quantum light using nonlinear optics

Phys10 Undergraduate Seminar Series

Agata Branczyk (Perimeter) 

Light moves at nature’s speed limit, and doesn’t degrade for hundreds of kilometres, making it our best medium for sending information over long distances. But to send quantum information, we require quantum light. In this talk, I will describe how nonlinear optical processes, which mediate interactions between photons, can be used to generate interesting states of quantum light. I will then discuss my research in this field which focuses on customizing nonlinear-optical sources to have desirable properties. Given time, I will also touch on new work on applying nonlinear quantum optics to the study of analogue systems such as the Unruh effect.

This talk is geared toward an upper year audience; as always, everyone is welcome to attend.