Cavity Quantum Optics
Our team is exploring applications of optical micro- and nano-cavities in the fields of quantum optics with
solid-state systems, optical sensing, microscopy, and spectroscopy.
We focus on a particularly promising cavity design which relies on micro-machined optical fibers. Using CO2 laser pulses, we create smooth concave profiles with very small radius of curvature on the endfacet of optical fibers.
After application of high-reflective dielectric coatings, they serve as mirrors of a Fabry-Perot microcavity. Such cavities achieve a mode volume as small as a few wavelengths cubed and a Finesse (being proportional to the number of mirror reflections) of up to 170 000. Furthermore, they provide open access to the field maximum and full tuneability, which facilitates the achievement of optimal spectral and spatial overlap of the sample and the cavity mode.
We use these cavities and develop novel techniques to study a variety of different samples, including quantum emitters in diamond, nanoparticles, and molecular systems such as carbon nanotubes. This research is a collaboration between Prof. Theodor W. Hänsch and Prof. David Hunger at KIT. Part of the team has moved to KIT Karlsruhe.
See our lab in a virtual tour on Nobel Labs 360°
http://nobellabs.lindau-nobel.org/gm_theodorhaensch/index.html
Current Projects
Our Team Members:
Dr. Matthias Mader, Dr. Thomas Hümmer, Dr. Jonathan Noé, Ines Amersdorffer, Luc Stebens, Dr. Manuel Nutz, Dr. Michael Förg, Soňa Ertlova