NFYK18004U Advanced Quantum Optics and Photonics

Volume 2019/2020
Education

MSc Programme in Physics

Content

The course will introduce the students to advanced topics in quantum optics, especially in solid-state nanophotonic systems. It provides a detailed description of the quantum treatment of light-matter interaction and an introduction to relevant research topics such as quantum optomechanics and quantum electrodynamics with quantum dots.

The interaction between photons, phonons and artificial atoms such as quantum dots will be the core topic of the course. Other topics include:

  • The Wigner-Weisskopf theory of spontaneous emission in nanostructures.
  • Master equation and Heisenberg-Langevin equations. Decoherence.
  • Nanophotonic control of light-matter interaction.
  • Introduction to solid-state quantum emitters (quantum dots).
  • Introduction to quantum optomechanics.
Learning Outcome

The aim of the course is to bring the students at a level where they are capable of comprehending modern research literature on quantum optics and quantum nanophotonics.

The course will provide the following knowledge and skills:

Knowledge               

  • Explain spontaneous emission from quantum emitters.
  • Discuss open quantum systems and the interaction between system and reservoirs.
  • Describe a quantum optomechanical system.
  • Explain the basic concepts of solid-state quantum emitters.

 

Skills

  • Describe the basic concepts of (sub-wavelength) light confinement.
  • Explain the basics of Green’s tensor formalism and apply it to solve simple light-matter interaction problems.
  • Understand the modelling of simple nanophotonic structures using numerical methods. Apply these results to the quantum theory of light-matter interaction.

 

Competences

The competences acquired during this course, will put the student in the position to do research in a modern quantum optics laboratory.

Literature

will be announced later

It is recommended that the students have followed the Quantum Optics course or similar. It is assumed that the students have a good background in quantum mechanics, e.g., through following the physics curriculum for the first three years or similar. Also it may be an advantage if the students have followed a course on Optical Physics and Lasers.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Lectures and exercises including small group projects.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Exercises
  • 28
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 149,5
  • Total
  • 206,0
Oral
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 25 minutes
The student draws one of the exam questions which are given in advance. The student is expected to talk about the question for approximately 15 minutes followed by a discussion of the rest of the curriculum. There is no preparation time.
Aid
Written aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Same as regular exam

Criteria for exam assesment

see learning outcome