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Circuit and CavityQuantum Electrodynamics
a Marie Curie Initial Training Network
Circuit and Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics a Marie Curie Initial Training NetworkNational Launch Event for Horizon 2020, 28/29 January 2014 in Berlin
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Printed within the Framework of the CCQED Network (Project Number 264666, Call FP7-People-2010-ITN)
Edited by Tatjana Wilk & Andreas Hartmann Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1 85748 Garching
Layout & Design Julia von [email protected]
SatzMedienberatung TrayserLeopoldstr. 13380804 Mü[email protected]
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Dr. Tatjana Wilk Scientific Coordinator
Senior Scientist in the Quantum Dynamics Division at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
Andreas Hartmann EU Project Manager,
EU-Office Max Planck Institutes Regional Cluster Bavaria at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
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PrefaceWe delightfully accepted the invitation to present our Initial Training Network named Circuit and Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics (CCQED) at the National Launch Event for Horizon 2020, the new European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, taking place on 28/29 January 2014 in Berlin.
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together with David J. Wineland ‘for ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems’.
In its growth strategy, Europe 2020, the European Union stresses the importance young researchers have for Europe’s future, as they are vital to a knowledge-based society and to a competitive economy. However, European research funding is not only about supporting individual researchers, but also about creating a European added value that cannot be accomplished on a national level. This idea is flourishing in our network, where all local partners profit from collaborations and the exchange of ideas. Moreover, by forming the next generation of young scientists, which will have expertise in all CCQED related topics, we will fuel the growth of emerging quantum technologies and promote the innovative strength of Europe.
We owe special thanks to our network partners and fellows. Only their contributions and support allowed us to prepare the presentation in Berlin and this brochure.
Tatjana Wilk & Andreas HartmannJanuary 2014 in Garching
Being selected as one among eight, out of all European projects coordinated in Germany, is a great honour for us, and we kindly thank the National Contact Point for Marie Curie Actions for nominating us. With our presentation in Berlin and with this brochure we would like to share with you what CCQED is all about and what made it so successful.
While pioneers of quantum mechanics Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr could only think about experiments with single atoms and photons, we actually do such experiments today in our laboratories! Exploring the quantum world and controlling light-matter interactions at the level of single quanta lies at the heart of the research done within the CCQED network. One of our network partners Serge Haroche received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2012
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Contents ...................................................................................................................................................................................6
About CCQED ............................................................................................................................................................................8
The CCQED Research Field ............................................................................................................................................. 10
About Marie Curie Actions ............................................................................................................................................. 12
How CCQED was build .....................................................................................................................................................13
Network Partners and Fellows ................................................................................................................................................ 14
Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics ......................................................................................................................... 16
Mahmood Sabooni .........................................................................................................................................................17
Aarhus University .......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Olivier Legrand .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
University of Innsbruck .................................................................................................................................................. 20
Raimar Sandner ............................................................................................................................................................. 21
University of Bonn ......................................................................................................................................................... 22
Jose Gallego .................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Wigner Research Center of Physics ................................................................................................................................. 24
András Dombi ............................................................................................................................................................... 25
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Contents
Laboratoire Kastler Brossel (ENS-CNRS).......................................................................................................................... 26
Carla Hermann .............................................................................................................................................................. 27
Menlo Systems GmbH .................................................................................................................................................... 28
Artem Golovizin ............................................................................................................................................................. 28
Philipp Heck .................................................................................................................................................................. 29
National Instruments ..................................................................................................................................................... 30
Maria Bernard Schwarz .................................................................................................................................................. 31
CEA-Saclay .................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Kristinn Julisson ............................................................................................................................................................ 33
ETH Zürich .................................................................................................................................................................... 34
Mathias Stammeier ....................................................................................................................................................... 35
Walther-Meißner-Institut ................................................................................................................................................ 36
Ling Zhong .................................................................................................................................................................... 37
University of the Basque Country ................................................................................................................................... 38
Roberto Di Candia ......................................................................................................................................................... 38
Simone Felicetti ............................................................................................................................................................. 39
Toptica Photonics AG ..................................................................................................................................................... 40
European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (Lens) ................................................................................................ 41
Network Activities .................................................................................................................................................................. 42
Winter School: Introduction to circuit and cavity QED ...................................................................................................... 44
Summer School: FPGA and High Performance Computing Technologies ............................................................................ 45
Supplementary Training ................................................................................................................................................. 46
Conferences ..................................................................................................................................................................48
Public Events................................................................................................................................................................. 50
Impact of CCQED ..................................................................................................................................................................... 52
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The CCQED Research
Field
How CCQED was
build
About Marie Curie
Actions8
About CCQED
The Initial Training Network Circuit and Cavity Quantum Electro-Dynamics (CCQED) aims to bridge two research areas in physics which both investigate the strong coupling between light and matter at its most fundamental level of elementary quanta. In this regime one or a few atoms strongly interact with a single mode of the electromagnetic field stored in a resonator containing only a small number of photons. This research area, named cavity quantum electrodynamics, has been at first investigated with real atoms coupled to microwave or optical photons. In recent years it was then demonstrated that the very same physics can be studied in a solid-state architecture named circuit quantum electrodynamics, where now artificial atoms made of Josephson junctions are coupled to on-chip superconducting resonators. Both fields made spectacular progress in the past years, with a remarkable diversity of demonstrated physical effects. This was recently acknowledged by awarding the Nobel Prize in Physics to Serge Haroche (jointly with David J. Wineland), whose group is part of the CCQED network.
While circuit and cavity quantum electrodynamics share the same concepts, they explore different regimes with fundamentally different techniques. This complementarity has implied a strong motivation to bring together the solid-state circuit and the atomic physics cavity groups in Europe to form a unified scientific community. Hybrid systems, combining the advantages of a real single atom with a superconducting transmission line cavity, are a prime example of how this union might spark new scientific directions.
Network-wide meetings and conferences strengthen links between CCQED partners and intensify the exchange between academia and the private sector. Results and benefits of network-induced collaborations that go beyond the initially planned joint projects, are shared, pursued and diffused within Europe by opening network events to external researchers and by publications in high-impact scientific journals.
As an Initial Training Network, CCQED provides positions for education and training of 12 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in a 3-year PhD-programme and 2 Experienced Researchers (ERs) in postdoctoral studies during 2 years. Each of the fellows is enrolled in a challenging research project at his host
institution, that either deals with state engineering of two or more particles, with engineering of photonic
states or with new technological tools. The high quality of these projects is
documented by the scientific and technological outcome achieved
during the first three years of CCQED.
More information
about CCQED can be found at: www.ccqed.eu
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The CCQED Research FieldIn the field of Quantum Optics the central topic is the investigation of light-matter interaction under very specific and controlled conditions, in a regime, which is ruled by the laws of quantum physics. Since the beginning of the 20th century it has been known that light does not only propagate as an electromagnetic wave but also behaves like particles or light quanta, the so-called photons. This gives rise to new and exotic phenomena that are not known in the classical world. The theory that explains the properties of light-matter interaction in the quantum regime is called Quantum Electrodynamics (QED).
In fact, it is now possible to investigate the coupling between light and matter at its most fundamental level, i.e. the interaction between a single or a small number of photon(s) or light mode(s) and a single or just a few atoms. Cavities made of two high-reflecting mirrors play a key role in these experiments. Here, atom and light mode are stored inside the resonator, forming a strongly coupled
system that exhibits its own Eigenstates. This research area is named cavity QED.
The recent years have brought the demonstration that the very same physics can be studied with ‘artificial atoms’, e.g. so-called Josephson junctions that are implemented in a solid-state architecture and coupled to on-chip superconducting resonators. Here, Josephson junctions behave like two-state atoms that can resonantly driven with microwave photons propagating on the chip or stored in a strip-line cavity. This area is nicknamed circuit QED.
Both cavity and circuit QED share the same basic concepts, and both made spectacular progress in the past years. However, it is remarkable that they explore different regimes
with essentially different techniques. For example, major achievements in cavity QED have been
the generation of nonlinear photonics with one atom, and the realization
of feedback schemes on single atoms triggered by the
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detection of single photons, whereas milestones in circuit QED the deterministic generation and tomography of arbitrary quantum states of a resonator by superconducting quantum bits, or the evidence of the lamb shift in a solid-state system.
Such complementarities give a strong motivation to bring together the solid-state circuit and the atomic physics cavity groups in Europe to form a unified scientific community. Theory partners in the network come with strong expertise from both fields, superconducting solid-state and atomic physics. They all work closely with experimentalists and have seen their predictions confirmed in the last decade.
A central research aim of CCQED is to exploit and advance the controllability of the number of atoms, ions and artificial atoms strongly coupled to microwave as well as optical photons to
perform experiments involving multi-
particle and/or multi-photon states. Another
notable scientific outcome is the possibility of building hybrid
systems by coupling superconducting transmission lines to real atoms, since this
would allow exploiting the advantages of both concepts: superconducting circuits on the one hand react very fast, but their states exhibit very short lifetimes. Single-atom systems on the other hand can hold superposition of states for reasonable time periods. Furthermore, they are linked to optical photons, which can travel over large distances, a prerequisite for the realization of remote entanglement between distant nodes in a quantum network. The combination of both systems could hence be useful for future quantum computation architectures: The fast superconducting circuits could be the key element for quantum information processing, whereas the real atoms can serve as the basic storing and communication unit for quantum information.
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About Marie Curie Actions
Behind every scientific or technological breakthrough are standing people who actually do the research or development. Therefore, people are the central figure in all Marie Curie Actions (MCA), which is one of the European Union’s funding instruments of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Its main goal is to strengthen qualitatively and quantitatively the human potential in science and technology in the European Union. To make careers in research more attractive, MCA offer excellent working conditions and competitive salaries. In addition, they require mobility, meaning that researchers have to move to another country to be eligible for a position. Mobility of researchers leads to circulation of ideas as well as to dissemination of new research concepts and techniques. It is therefore a crucial measure to increase the competitiveness of the European Union.
Several funding schemes are available within MCA. Among these, Initial Training Networks (ITNs) are especially dedicated to researchers at an early stage of their careers. ITNs are multi-partner projects composed of universities, research centres and companies from different countries working towards a common research goal. Each participating host institution hires young researchers and trains them on a challenging research project. Joint schools, seminars and conferences broaden the fellow’s expertise and set the ground for cooperation and
exchange. Moreover, network meetings allow the fellows to build their own professional network. The possibility to complement their professional training with supplementary skills, e.g. management or entrepreneurship, will enhance the fellows’ career prospects in academia or industry.
By offering these ideal training and working conditions ITNs make a valuable contribution to the growth of the next generation of highly skilled researchers in Europe.
http://ec.europa.eu/mariecurieactions
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CCQED is successful because it has been created with generosity and curiosity, and is managed intelligently. Its creation back in 2009 required a passion for science, the people and institutions as well as a dedicated effort to settle an excellent management structure. This was not an easy task.
First, in order to build a multidisciplinary network, we had to establish contacts with the solid-state physics community that was disconnected from the quantum optics community we come from. It required excellent knowledge of the current research to find suitable candidates, and groups were invited to join us only when they showed a good team attitude.
Second, we had to involve the private sector, which was highly desired by the EU. We started naively by kindly asking companies to join, with the only motive that we wanted this project to be accepted! Those first attempts failed and we nearly abandoned! But then, we asked ourselves the good questions: Why would a company like to join an ITN? What will they gain? We started thinking differently by putting ourselves in the mind of the private sector. Three companies are now part of CCQED and their input is central.
Third, we had to fully embrace the EU Work Programme. Once more, we had to relieve ourselves from our own narrow view to understand what the EU wants and why. This included for example the idea of training young people such that they can be immersed in the European job market. To assure this, we implemented several features, for instance, the fact that the three companies involved have different sizes. This, among others, was part of important fine-tunings to the project.
Today, our best rewards are the young people that have been hired, who embrace well the philosophy of CCQED. Could the next calls in Horizon 2020 do better than FP7? I believe they certainly can by a deeper formation in management, leveraging the mobility condition, and other points that are necessary, in my view, for a proper management of knowledge in the EU.
How CCQED was build
Dr Karim MurrInitiator of CCQED
Q* Quantum Science and Technology in ArcetriDepartment of PhysicsLargo Enrico Fermi 2
50125 FlorenceItaly
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NetworkPartners and
Fellows
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The CCQED network is coordinated at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and is composed of 14 partners from 8 dif-ferent European countries. 11 groups from academia – theory and experimental - and 3 partners from industry jointly ad-vance state-of-the-art research in circuit and cavity quantum electrodynamics and promote the development of new tech-nologies.
The network provides 12 training positions for Early Stage Re-searchers (ESRs) in a 3-year PhD programme, and 2 positions for Experienced Researchers (ERs) for postdoctoral studies during 2 years. Each of the fellows is in-tegrated in a challenging research project at his host institution. In addition, fellows benefit from frequent interactions with other CCQED partner. It is a remarkable aspect of the career advancement of the fellows that they have access to a wide technolog-ical diversity of experiments and a large variety of theoreti-cal methods.
In the following, all CCQED partners are introduced with a brief profile of their institution and a short description of the CCQED research project the fellow is involved. Furthermore, all current fellows give a statement why they were attracted to the CCQED projects and how they profit from the network.
In addition to the fellows presented
here, Paul A. Altin, Reschad Ebert, Ricardo Gomez, Tobias Griesser, Michele Guinta, Ian Leroux, Alexandre Thai, and
Fabio Vallone were also funded by CCQED.
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Max Planck Institute of Quantum OpticsTatjana Wilk & Gerhard RempeQuantum Dynamics DivisionHans-Kopfermann-Straûe 185748 GarchingGermany
www.mpq.mpg.de
The Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ) in Garching is one of the 82 institutes in Germany that belong to the Max
Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (MPG) which are conducting basic research in natural sciences, life sciences, social
sciences, and the arts and humanities. At MPQ, about 240 researcher explore various aspects of matter-light interactions, ranging from
high-precision spectroscopy over attosecond physics, ultracold quantum matter, single particle control to quantum information theory.16
Among other projects, the Quantum Dynamics Division led by Ger-hard Rempe is focusing on single-atom cavity QED. The picture shows an optical cavity consisting of two highly reflecting mir-rors (red) facing each other at a distance of 260 μm. A single atom coupled to an optical cavity is an ideal system to re-veal the quantum nature of light since it shows a quantum nonlinearity which can not be explained by light being a wave. Apart from the observation of fundamental quan-tum effects such systems have also proven to be ideal candidates for the realization of quantum networks by demonstrating reversable state transfer from station-ary qubit to flying qubit, remote entanglement and teleportation.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?My main interest is mostly on experimental light-matter interaction in the quantum regime. I want to extend my knowledge about quantum information processing to a new physical implementation. Broadening the knowledge in several physical realizations will be very helpful for a researcher who wants to build his own group in the future.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?I really appreciate the opportunity that CCQED allows me to participate in a cutting-edge exper-iment. During my PhD studies I gained some experience in the interaction of light quanta with an ensemble of atoms. The CCQED programme now allows me to broaden my knowledge and extend it to single-atom single-photon interaction.
Experienced Researcher from Sweden
Mahmood Sabooni ... is exploring
the applications of atom-cavity systems
in quantum information processing schemes . After his
fellowship he plans to keep working as a postdoc
in academia.
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Aarhus UniversityAurelien Dantan & Michael Drewsen
Department of Physics and AstronomyThe Ion Trap Group
Bygning 1520Ny Munkegade
8000 Aarhus CDenmark
phys.au.dk
Â
Founded in 1928 Aarhus Universi-ty (AU) is the second oldest and next largest university in Denmark. AU is a full-scale university with currently more than 40,000 students enrolled. The CCQED partner group at AU – The Ion Trap Group – is one of the major experimental research groups at the Department of Physics and Astronomy with activities focused on cavity QED experiments with ion Cou-lomb crystals and cold molecular ion research.18
The main objectives of the Ion Trap Group within CCQED have been the demonstration of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) in an atomic media in the form of an Ion Coulomb crystal (blue glowing object in the centre of the picture), and the application of this exotic effect in connection with storage of photonic states. The blue objects on the left and on the right are the cavity mirrors. The distance between the mirrors is 12 mm. The gold plated cylinders are the electrodes keep-ing the ions trapped. For carrying out this research, the CCQED ITN has been important for the development of different specific concepts and for exchange of ideas between partners working on similar ideas, but with complementary physical systems.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?At the end of my Masters degree in France, I knew I wanted to work on a subject related to quantum information, so I visited different groups in Europe. The position in Aarhus retained my attention as the project involved very interesting experimental as well as theoretical physics.
Early Stage Researcher from France
Olivier Legrand... is working on
the implementation of a quantum memory for
light using an ion crystal in-side an optical resonator. After
CCQED, he would like to continue to work in
basic research.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?The CCQED network, by financing the position in Aarhus, directly helped me to get the position here. The organization of meetings getting the CCQED fellows together definitely helps to build a network of people working in the same field, but with different and complementary skills, which I think can be very useful in the future. Also, participating to a workshop on LabVIEW, which has been made possible through the partnership of National Instruments to the project, has been very valuable.
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University of InnsbruckHelmut Ritsch
Institute for Theoretical PhysicsTechnikerstraûe 25
6020 InnsbruckAustria
www.uibk.ac.at/th-physik/qo/
The Innsbruck Physics Research Centre is committed to carry out excellent, worldwide competitive research addressing a broad range of modern topics in physics. The Centre is
organized along three main research areas: Astro- and Astroparticle Physics, Ion- and Applied Physics, and Quantum Physics. It is strongly linked to many research institutions worldwide and provides a truly
international environment for researchers from all over the world. The research group of Helmut Ritsch is specialized in theories and methods for investigating cavity quantum electrodynamics and optomechanics.
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C++QED is a programming framework for simulating dynamics of open quantum systems, originally developed by András Vukics. It provides a toolbox modeling elementary systems like atoms or modes, which the user can connect with predefined interactions using only a few lines of C++ code. After compilation, the resulting programme is highly optimized for simulating the specific quantum system at hand. For us the CCQED network offers the opportunity to further improve the capabilities of C++QED in a tight cooperation with the Budapest quantum optics group, and to bring the framework to the attention of potential users who might benefit.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?The position appealed to me because it combined my two main fields of interest: fundamental research in the domain of quantum optics with a focus on computational aspects, especially the development of a modern software project. Furthermore, Innsbruck and the group of Helmut Ritsch was my first-choice option.
Early Stage Researcher from Germany
Raimar Sandner... is developing a
flexible programming framework for simulating dy-
namics in open quantum systems together with the CCQED Partner in Budapest. After CCQED, he will
apply for a research-oriented position in industry or a
post-doc position.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?The CCQED network offered me the possibility to work at an internationally acknowledged research center for quantum optics. It has helped to advance my career by allowing scientific exchange at conferences, summer schools and workshops, facilitating collaborations and extending my skill-set by offering supplementary training. Through CCQED I am now in touch with many other young researchers throughout Europe as well as industry partners in the field.
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University of BonnDieter MeschedeInstitute of Applied Physics Wegeler Straûe 853115 BonnGermany
quantum-technologies.iap.uni-bonn.de
With 31000 students, the Rheinische-Friedrich-Wilhelms-Univer-sität Bonn is one of the largest research based universities in Germany. As a part of the Physics Department, the Institute of Applied Physics (IAP) is active in the field of Atomic, Molecular,
and Optical Physics. Two research groups, Prof. Meschede’s and Prof. Weitz’s, are working on experiments
focusing on quantum optics o few and many body systems. The IAP is host to
students from around the world, supported by the Bonn-Cologne
Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy.
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The group lead by Prof. Dieter Meschede has a decade of expertise in single atom trapping and manipulation, pioneering the control of individual neutral atoms in optical dipole traps. The optical ultra-high finesse cavity experiment has reached the strong coupling regime between atoms and light and offers controllable, cavity-mediated atom-atom interactions for mesoscopic samples of ultracold atoms. The group is involved in numerous national and supranational research networks. The picture shows four small aspheric lenses, which are used to observe and control single Rubidium atoms coupled to a miniature fiber-optical resonator. The glue holding the lenses shows white fluorescence while it is cured by ultraviolet light.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?Germany is one of the best choices if during your career you want go deeply into topics regarding Quantum Mechanics, and I always found a special interest in experimental Quan-tum Optics. After exploring different choices, I couldn’t refuse the nice opportunity of joining the group of Prof. Meschede in Bonn.
Early Stage Researcher from Spain
Jose GallegoÂ
... is setting up a Fabry-Perot resonator
made of two optical fibres, which will play the key role in building an efficient quantum
memory. After finishing his PhD, he would like to do
a postdoc outside of Europe.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?In my opinion CCQED is all about making networking possible and more accessible to students, and this is definitely what I would highlight from my experience so far. By organizing events and meetings, the network keeps you in touch with the rest of the commu-nity, not only regarding your specific field but also getting to know new concepts and of course new people. It also gives you a wider point of view in terms of different career paths by including the industrial partners.
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Wigner Research Center of Physics
The Wigner Research Centre for Physics belongs to the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Its Department of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information consists of 6 permanent researchers, about 5 postdoctoral fellows and 5-10 students. One main focus of the department’s activities lies on cavity QED, including quantum measurement theory, few-atom quantum dynamics and critical phenomena in many-body systems. This is complemented by research on hybrid optomechanical or magnetomechanical systems, and also on the theory of quantum walks. A broad spectrum of analytical and numerical methods is used. Most of the projects are pursued in international
collaborations with experimental groups.
Peter DomokosKonkoly-Thege Miklos ut 29-33 1121 Budapest Hungary
optics.szfki.kfki.hu
 Â
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The CCQED research project concerns optical bistability in strongly coupled circuit QED and optical cavity QED systems. Optical bistability is an experimentally accessible and controllable example for a non-equilibrium phase transition in a damped–driven open system. The advent of the strong coupling regime of light-matter interaction opened a route to study the interplay of quantum fluctuations and nonlinear atom–light coupling at low intracavity photon number. It is thus a suitable platform to explore quantum corrections in a finite-size system to the semiclassical mean-field results, which is a particularly exciting opportunity in the vicinity of a critical point.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?There are two main reasons: first, I wanted to get a PhD in physics and I was looking for an interesting subject and a strong group at a research institute in Europe. So when I found the advertisement for this fellowship, I applied immediately. Second, Quantum Optics was relatively new to me, but this field of physics seemed to be very important and incredibly interesting. This position was a great opportunity to learn and understand more about it!
Early Stage Researcher from Romania
Andras DombiÂ... is studying
optical bistability at the few atom level. He solves
problems numerically using the C++QED framework, and analytically using semi-classical approximations.
After CCQED, he wants to continue doing research in his field and
tackle new problems on his own.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?CCQED has given me the opportunity to study one of the most interesting fields of physics, namely Quantum Optics, in a group in which I can do theoretical work at the highest possible level. I am confident, that the experience and knowledge I gained in the past two years, and will continue to receive in my last year, will help me to obtain my PhD, and furthermore, will give me the chance to continue working as a researcher.
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Laboratoire Kastler Brossel (ENS-CNRS)Michel Brune & Jean-Michel RaimondLaboratoire Kastler BrosselDepartement de PhysiqueEcole Normale Superieure24 rue Lhomond75005 ParisFrance
www.cqed.org
The Laboratoire Kastler Brossel (LKB) is a research institution specialized on fundamental physics of quantum systems. It was founded in 1951 by Alfred Kastler
and Jean Brossel to investigate the interaction between light and matter. The laboratory works as a joint research unit operated by the
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) and the University of Pierre-and-
Marie-Curie. Presently, twelve research teams work on: ultracold atoms, atom lasers, quantum fluids,
quantum optics, cavity QED, quantum chaos, high-precision measurements, quantum information
and quantum theory of measurement. These themes lead not only to a better
understanding of fundamental phenomena, but also to important applications, like more precise atomic clocks, improvement of interferometric gravitational wave detectors or new methods for biomedical imaging. The group led by Jean-Michel Raimond and Nobel Laureate Serge Haroche working on cavity QED is part of the CCQED network.Image: ENS, cellule communication26
We develop an experiment with individual Rydberg atoms coupled to an on-chip stripline resonator. The first step is to deterministically prepare a single Rydberg atom by laser excitation of a dense cloud of ground state atoms trapped on a superconducting atom-chip. The network-operated schools and meetings have been essential for the training of our students. We finally had very fruitful contacts with industry partners, whose products are heavily used in our experiments. The picture shows a view of the open cryogenic setup, with the atom chip in the back (golden mirror) and in front the electrodes for the ionization and detection of Rydberg atoms
Why have you applied for the position in your group?I have applied for a PhD position in the Cavity QED group in Paris because I had studied their papers during my first years of college in Chile and I was amazed by their work. I wanted to be there, working with them, learning from them. I did not even considerer another
group at that moment.
Early Stage Researcher from Chile
Carla Hermann... is working
on interfacing Rydberg atoms with a superconducting
strip-line resonator. After finishing her PhD she will apply
for a postdoc position at the Joint Quantum Institute in
Washington DC, USA.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?I will always be extremely grateful for being a CCQED fellow
during my PhD. I have met many people in my research field, I have exchanged several ideas and experiences with the fellows and I attended many high-level conferences. Now I’m part of a large network. In addition, I was able to strengthen my social skills by attending soft skills courses. Summarizing, CCQED has given me the opportunity to grow as a researcher and has given me fundamental tools for achieving my academic life goals.
Image: Carla Hermann 27
Menlo Systems GmbHRonald HolzwarthAm Klopferspitz 19a82152 MartinsriedGermany
www.menlosystems.comGuided by the vision to establish optical frequency comb technology as the most precise measurement tool, the company was founded in 2001 as a spin-off from the renowned Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics (MPQ). In
2002, the first optical frequency comb product enabled users to measure optical frequencies with the highest accuracy with a tabletop
instrument. Second in the product line were femtosecond fiber lasers. The state-of-the art instruments focus
on ease-of-use without sacrificing performance. Various models for applications like medical
diagnostics, terahertz spectroscopy, seeding of amplifiers, and test and measurement
applications are available. The ongoing dialog with customers encourages
Menlo Systems to venture into new areas. New products keep
emerging now including THz systems as well as cw fiber
lasers. In 2013, with more than 70 employees, Menlo
Systems continues to explore the ultrafast world together with their customers.
Early Stage Researcher from Russia
Artem Golovizin
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The development of frequency combs has been motivated by the ever increasing accuracy of high resolution spectroscopy on atoms and ions. For many applications they serve as versatile optical frequency synthesizer and are referenced in the RF-regime to e.g. a GPS clock. Unfortunately, for high precision applications the stability of such readily available clocks is not sufficient. Therefore, the task is to narrow the line width of the frequency comb to the sub kHz level. This is achieved by using an optical reference cavity with very high finesse as shown in the picture. With the help of a cw laser, the stability of the cavity is then transferred to the frequency comb. Currently work is in progress to reduce the overall comb line width safely to the level of 1 Hz and improve the overall stability and user friendliness.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?It’s a great opportunity for me to work for a company in Germany which is so close to the scientific community within such a great environment. Moreover, I will be able to improve my language skills and of course expand my knowledge in frequency comb physics.
Early Stage Researcher from Turkey
Philipp Heck
... is working on improving the stability
of optical frequency combs in the millisecond range using
an ultra-narrow CW laser locked to a stable reference cavity.
After CCQED he will continue to work on his PhD in
Moscow.
... is developing micro-resonators for
low phase‐noise Kerr comb generation. In particular he will tackle the challenges of resonator stability and fibre
to resonator energy transfer.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?After my Masters in Photonics at the Koç
University in Istanbul I was aiming for a job in the photonics industry back in Germany. I would like to experience and become experienced in the process of product development. The organisational
challenges give a new dimension to the research work. Menlo Systems struck me as a
young, dynamic and promising company. 29
National Instruments Germany GmbHJochen KlierGanghoferstraûe 70 80339 MunchenGermany
germany.ni.com
..
National Instruments (NI) transforms the way engineers and scientists around the world design, prototype, and deploy systems for test, control, and embedded design applications. Using NI open graphical programming software and modular hardware, customers at more than 30,000 companies annually simplify development, increase productivity, and dramatically reduce time to market. From testing next-generation gaming systems to creating
breakthrough medical devices, NI customers continuously develop innovative technologies that
impact millions of people.
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Our goal is to develop tools for quantum optics experiments especially in the field in which the CCQED network partners are involved. A basic set of quantum optics simulation tools is now provided within the software platform LabVIEW which is also the platform of the experimental control system. The next step is the development of real-time tools for the control of external degrees of freedom, i.e. the motion of the atom and the internal degrees of freedom, i.e. the quantum state of the system.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?I’ve applied for a position at National Instruments as I wanted to work for an international, innovative and rising company. Even more importantly, throughout my previous education I enjoyed working with National Instruments products as they simplify setting up the electronics for physical experiments and therefore shorten the overall developing time.
Early Stage Researcher from Austria
Maria Bernard Schwarz
... is developing simulation and control
tools to support experiments at UBO and MPQ After her PhD
she would like to stay in industry either as a research manager or
in a research & development position.How does CCQED help you to advance your career?
CCQED offers me the possibility to work multidisciplinary between physics and engineering. I get to know both working environments in academia and industry. My current position implicates 3 years of working experience immediately after the PhD. Besides the technical knowledge I get from National Instruments, the CCQED activities as collaborations, conferences and workshops also strengthen my personal soft-skill potential. We have specific trainings (e.g. presentation training, project management training and scientific writing training). Moreover, I also get experience in practical work when organizing events such as the National Instruments Summer School or the YES (Young European Scientists) meetings.
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CEA-SaclayPatrice Bertet & Daniel EsteveCEA Saclay Route Nationale, 91400 Gif-sur-Yvette France
iramis.cea.fr/drecam/spec/Pres/Quantro/static
CEA Saclay is located 25 km south of Paris in the Saclay area which gathers a large concentration of laboratories and offers a strong scientific environment. CEA hosts 5000 researchers and performs both applied and fundamental research in all fields of science. The solid-state laboratory, SPEC (about 100 researchers), has a very broad spectrum, from mesoscopic physics, magnetism,
superconductivity, to hydrodynamics and granular media. It has a long history in low-temperature physics and in NMR including the
invention of Dynamical Nuclear Polarisation. SPEC hosts a state-of-the-art nanofabrication facility including
electron-beam lithography. The Quantronics Group is one of the leading groups in mesoscopic
physics and superconducting electronics. It has made important contributions to this
field, including the first demonstration of single-electron pumps and the
first realization of an operational superconducting quantum bit circuit.
The group includes 7 permanent researchers, two technicians, and around 10 students and postdocs.32
The strong coupling of a superconducting qubit to a 3-dimensional resonator opens new perspectives for quantum information and quantum physics with superconducting circuits. Indeed, this novel version of circuit QED nicknamed “cQ3D” makes it possible to reach two orders of magnitude longer coherence times for the superconducting qubits, up to 100 microseconds in recent experiments. The “cQ3D” architecture is in particular ideally suited to investigate mechanisms that ultimately limit the coherence time of superconducting qubits, a key issue for quantum information applications. Currently, the group is setting up an experiment where a transmon is coupled to two modes in a 3D cavity, one that will be used for measuring the qubit, and another that will be used to investigate the so-called quantum Zeno dynamics.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?After finishing my Master degree I sought advice from my supervisor Andreas Wallraff on where I could do a PhD. He recommended the Quantronics Group as a good option. His advice along with their excellent work and reputation led to me visiting the group. Afterwards I was convinced that I wanted to do my PhD work here.
Early Stage Researcher from Iceland
Kristinn Julisson
... is aiming to observe quantum
Zeno dynamics with a superconducting qubit in a 3D
cavity. This effect could be used to engineer interesting states of light such as Schroedinger-cat states.
After CCQED, he plans to do a post-doc in quantum information
technologies.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?The network has given me the opportunity to meet with other PhD students in similar situations. We can discuss among ourselves both science and other practical matters. I also see the network as an important platform for getting an overview of what my field and related fields have to offer and for networking with future positions and collaborations as a goal.
33
ETH ZurichAndreas WallraffDepartment of PhysicsOtto-Stern-Weg 1 8093 ZurichSwitzerland
www.qudev.ethz.ch
..
At the Quantum Device Lab of the Physics Department at ETH Zurich, the group of Prof. Andreas Wallraff studies
the quantum properties of novel micro- and nano-structured electronic devices and their interaction
with classical and quantum electromagnetic fields. The research focus lies at the intersections
of mesoscopic condensed matter physics, atomic physics, quantum optics and quantum information science, where physical systems with intriguing properties and exciting applications can be realized. In particular, the fundamental physics of matter light interaction in the context of cavity QED is studied. Hybrid quantum systems are explored, in which quantum properties of semiconductor quantum dots and Rydberg atoms are controlled and detected using
solid-state cavity QED techniques. The group is also interested in realizing applications
of quantum electronic circuits as sensitive, possibly quantum limited, nano-electronic
measurement devices and detectors.
34
R ydberg atoms and superconducting quantum circuits are combined to form a hybrid system, with the goal to store quantum information that is processed in superconducting qubits in long-lived Rydberg states. Using a 3D superconducting cavity, microwave photons can mediate interactions between atoms and superconducting qubits, allowing e.g. a coherent quantum state transfer. Since superconducting qubits requires temperatures below 0.1 K, it is necessary to combine methods used in atomic physics with cryogenic techniques. The successful realization
of the project will be a significant step towards the integration of atoms in
superconducting circuits, and will broaden the spectrum of research
in cavity and circuit QED. CCQED strongly supports the project through frequent interactions with researchers working in the same field.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?The main reason for my application was the possibility to work with atoms and cryogenics in the context of the rapidly growing research field of circuit QED. Besides, I was also attracted to this position by the friendly atmosphere in the group and the excellent infrastructure at ETH Zurich.
Early Stage Researcher from Germany
Mathias Stammeier
... is using a 3D superconducting cavity to mediate interactions
between superconducting qubits and Rydberg atoms. After his PhD, he will either
apply for a Postdoc or a job in industry.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?At the beginning of my PhD I was specialized in low temperature physics, but discussions with other fellows allowed me to quickly close knowledge gaps and keep up with the field of cavity QED. Furthermore, I profit a lot from the supplementary training such as scientific writing and project management offered by the network. Last but not least, I had the chance to organize the “Young European Scientists” (YES) Meeting 2013 in Zurich in collaboration with the other CCQED fellows.
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Walther-Meiûner-InstituteAchim Marx, Frank Deppe & Rudolf GrossBayerische Akademie der WissenschaftenWalther-Meiûner Straûe 885748 GarchingGermany
www.wmi.badw-muenchen.de
The Walther Meissner Institute for Low Temperature Research (WMI) is operated by the Commission for Low Temperature Research of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BAdW). In general, WMI carries out research projects at low and ultralow temperatures and supplies liquid helium to both Munich universities. More specifically, the scientific program covers fundamental and applied research on low temperature solid-state physics with the main focus on superconductivity and superfluidity, magnetism and spin electronics, mesoscopic systems and nanotechnology, superconducting quantum circuits, and methods for generating low temperatures. With respect to materials, the activities of WMI concentrate on superconducting and magnetic properties of bulk materials and thin films.
36
With respect to CCQED, the activities on superconducting quantum circuits are of particular importance. We engineer such circuits in a way that they behave as mesoscopic artificial atoms or quantum harmonic oscillators. The wide field of possible applications includes astonishing demonstrations of fundamental textbook quantum mechanics as well as quantum information science in the microwave regime. In this context, we explore microwave path entanglement, which is a fundamental resource for quantum teleportation and communication protocols.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?This fundamental research is very attractive for me because it gives me deeper understanding of quantum physics. Also it is a promising area which can lead to various applications. Moreover, it gives me the chance to develop lots of practical skills, such as programming skills, and microwave and cryogenic techniques related skills.
Early Stage Researcher from China
Ling Zhong
... is detecting quantum correlations in
the microwave domain and is trying to extend the cross-correlation method to using it for the detection
of entanglement between propagating quantum microwaves. After CCQED she
would like to continue working in the lab towards a great scientific
goal with great colleagues.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?CCQED brings researchers working on QED with different experimental techniques and theoretical considerations together. It provides a platform to brainstorm with others and communicate ideas. Most important, strong theoretical support from UPV/EHU is playing a significant role in promoting this project. Besides the development of academic skills, there is also a great opportunity to know a foreign country, including different culture and languages.
37
University of the Basque CountryEnrique SolanoQUTIS Group48080 Bilbao Spain
sites.google.com/site/enriquesolanogroup/
The QUTIS group, Quantum Technologies for Information Science, based at University of the Basque Country in Bilbao, develops interdisciplinary research in quantum optics, quantum information, superconducting qubits, circuit quantum electrodynamics, condensed matter, and quantum biomimetics. QUTIS is interested in theoretical quantum science and quantum information with a deep comprehension of the involved quantum technologies. In this sense, they are constantly collaborating with experimental groups to confirm predictions and models, with an eye open for possible technological applications.
Two talented young researchers were hired within CCQED, both working on
projects, which were developed in collaboration with top-
level experimental groups and renowned theorists
inside and outside the CCQED.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?I was interested on the topic of the project. Moreover, the group of Prof. Enrique Solano works on several ideas over different topics, so my curiosity led me to apply for the position.
Early Stage Researcher from Italy
Roberto Di Candia
... is giving theoretical support to experiments at Walther-Meissner-Institute by adapting quantum
optics protocols in the quantum microwave regime, paying a special attention to quantum communication. He plans to
keep working in fundamental research.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?It is an opportunity to do research within an international collaboration. Indeed, I enjoy this, especially by exchanging knowledge with experimental groups. CCQED covers widely all my expense related to the research. Moreover, I have the possibility to train in soft skills, as communication and project managing, which nowadays are essential in the education of a good scientist.38
One project consists in the theoretical development of the novel area of propagating quantum microwaves. The goal is to reproduce fundamental results of quantum mechanics, such as quantum state generation and entanglement generation, in the microwave regime in order to consider the experimental feasibility of standard quantum information protocols. With continuous variables these results have only been achieved in the optical regime, where technology is at variance with respect the microwave domain.
The other project focuses on the theoretical study of dynamics of multipartite quantum systems coupled through inhomogeneous interactions, especially in relation to the possibilities of generating and analysing multipartite entangled states. The aim is to develop both analytical and numerical techniques widening our comprehension of the evolution of quantum systems in peculiar regimes. Of particular interest are inhomogeneously coupled systems and ultrastrong light-matter interaction, where the high degree of correlation between all subparts represented so far the cardinal hindrance to understand its dynamics.
Why have you applied for the position in your group?One reason was the vocational creativity, which leads our group to work on a variety of different fields, and another the commitment to work on the frontier between theoretical and experimental physics, which allows me to profit from the experimental expertise I gathered during my master thesis.
Early Stage Researcher from Italy
Simone Felicetti
... is working on the theory of circuit QED and
superconducting qubits. In particular, he is studying novel models and physical effects
that have recently become accessible thanks to new technologies, and that could not be implemented with standard quantum optics tools. After CCQED, he
plans to keep working in fundamental research.
How does CCQED help you to advance your career?The CCQED network covers every side of my professional and educational experience as a PhD student. First of all, it provided me with financial and administrative support, allowing me to live in a foreign country, working in a world-leading research group and learning a new language. Then, it gave me the chance to be part of an exciting international scientific environment and to attend conferences and scientific schools. Finally, it offered me a variety
of soft skills trainings, which helped me developing my abilities in
communicating, managing projects and using
specialized software.
39
Toptica Photonics AG (Associated Partner)
TOPTICA Photonics AG is a privately held laser manufacturing company that develops, produces and provides research grade lasers for scientific applications as well as industry grade lasers for OEM integration. It traces its roots back to the Quantum Optics community from which its foundational product and business ideas emerged in 1998. Still today, grown to a company of 170
people, the company enjoys the interaction with this highly energetic and constantly growing
research field. TOPTICA contributes to the success of CCQED as an active member of
the Supervisory Board. It has provided lectures on tunable diode laser design
and applications and gave live demonstrations of laser systems
and spectroscopy setups at network conferences. Apart from getting inspiration for next generation products, TOPTICA hopes to spark interest among the students and post-docs in order to fill current and emerging positions.
Jurgen Stuhler & Wilhelm KaendersLochhamer Schlag 19 82166 Grafelfing
www.toptica.com
..
..
40
European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (Lens) (Associated Partner)
European reference point for research with light waves, based on a fundamental multi-disciplinary approach: This is LENS, the European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, since its birth in 1991 as centre of excellence of the University of Florence. A place where physicists, chemists and biologists work together every day, sharing instrumentation, experiences, research themes, scientific perspectives and ideas with the common aim of using laser light to investigate matter from different points of view and under different conditions. LENS is member of the Supervisory Board of CCQED and takes an active part in the Scientific and Training Committee. With its expertise, LENS contributes to the training of young researchers by providing lectures and talks at schools and conferences. In reward, CCQED is a concrete contact for LENS to the wide community dedicated to the manipulation of single quantum emitters coupled to resonators, a research field awarded with the Nobel Prize in Physics 2012.
Karim MurrVia Nello Carrara 1 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze)
www.lens.unifi.it
41
NetworkActivities
42
Conferences
Schools
SupplementaryTraining
PublicEvents
Apart from host-based training associated with working on cutting edge projects, network-wide training through schools, workshops and meetings broaden the fellows’ perspective. They provide the possibility for fruitful exchange of ideas between the two communities, and the acquisition of expertise in both, experimental methods and theoretical concepts. Fellows get access to a wide technological diversity of experimental methods, a key element that will increase their future career prospects.
In the first three
years of the project, CCQED organized a major
international conference and two schools, which were attended also by a large
number of external scientists.
Public events were
organized to make the fascinating research field
of CCQED and the benefits of European research
funding more visible.
Interaction and communication between the fellows is further strengthened by a Fellows’
Day, prior to every major network event, which is exclusively reserved for CCQED fellows. These
satellite events create a very positive atmosphere and an outstanding team spirit among the fellows. Moreover, it
allows them to attend supplementary training activities and to prepare upcoming events as the Young European Scientists (YES) meeting, which is entirely organized by the fellows.
Great emphasis is put on informing the young researchers about their particular rights as a Marie Curie fellow. Such information is included in the so-called ‘CCQED Logbook’ that every fellow receives at the beginning of his fellowship. Fellows also find therein information about the network structure and all partners. Designed as a ring binder, it serves as a living documentation of the fellows’ individual training and career plans.
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Winter School: Introduction to circuit and cavity QEDfrom 27 February to 02 March 2012 at Ecole de Physique in Les Houches, France
As first school organized within CCQED, the main objective in Les Houches was to introduce the fellows to the basic principles of circuit and cavity QED as well as to related topics such as photonic crystal cavities. Experts from inside and outside the network held multi-session courses, and industry partners gave hands-on lectures about their products playing a role in the CCQED fields of research. The scientific community very well recognized the school; with 70 participants it reached the full capacity of the local facilities.
After lunch participants had the chance to discuss or to enjoy the surroundings with a great view to Europe’s top peak Mont
Blanc. Many participants presented posters at two after dinner sessions. Discussions at
the posters continued long after the last cold bottle was emptied,
although the next morning lecture started early!
With many interesting
contributions the jury had a hard time to select
the three poster prizes.
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The second school was organized by National Instruments, one of the CCQED industry partners. Professionals gave hands-on courses on LabVIEW programing, real-time experimental control and high performance computing with separated tracks for beginners and experienced users. Such programming skills are essential to control state of the art experiments in circuit or cavity QED. Experts from science and industry were invited to report on different applications. The school, which was attended by 26 participants, was also open to scientists from outside the network.
Summer School: FPGA and High Performance Computing Technologiesfrom 10 to 14 September 2012 at the National Instruments Training Centre in Munich, Germany
During the week, an excursion to other CCQED partners was
organized. Toptica Photonics opened their R&D division and
their laser production, so that participants got an impression
what it is like working in a medium sized company developing cutting edge
lasers. Laboratory tours at WMI and MPQ introduced visitors to the world of superconducting
qubits and to quantum optics, respectively. Scientists presented current experiments and discussed recent results. 45
Supplementary Training
Scientific Writing, 9 September 2012 in Munich:
Presentation Skills, 12 Sep 2012 in Munich:
In order to advance their career prospects, fellows are strongly encouraged to complement their professional skills with supplementary training such as language classes, project management, or entrepreneurship. In addition to host-based training, our fellows attended a variety of different network-wide workshops and seminars.
Publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals is an essential part of a scientist’s work, but it can be very demanding. A professional trainer introduced the fellows to the main principles and techniques of scientific writing. In order to apply these methods, each fellow prepared a report about his particular research project. To simulate a peer-review process, each fellow acted at the same time as a reviewer for a manuscript from a colleague. Such a procedure simultaneously strengthens the fellows writing skills, their ability to give/receive feedback, and to actively take part in a scientific discussion. After passing the peer-review round, the reports were published in a “Fellows Mid-term Report”.
Presenting research on conferences in talks or on posters in a way that transports the main idea of a project is challenging. An expert from National Instruments introduced the fellows to effective presentation techniques such as reducing ideas to key phrases and crafting clear designs for data and figures.
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YES Meetings, 2-6 June 2013 in Zurich & 23-29 March 2014 in Landeck:
Careers in Research & Development, 4 June 2013 in Zurich:
Project Management, 5 June 2013 in Zurich:
At the Mid-Term
Review, from 5-6 Nov 2012 in Budapest, the fellows
had the chance to already apply the lessons learned from the
presentations workshop as they had to give a fellows report in
front of the project officer and an external
reviewer.
At the next YES
Meeting in March 2014, a workshop on cognitive
bias is planned: Effects of cognitive bias in scientific
research and how to avoid them are
discussed.
Young European Scientists (YES) Meetings give the fellows the opportunity to organize an international workshop on their own: They decide on topics and the programme, invite speakers, arrange workshops on supplementary skills and take care of the finances - all by themselves.
At the first YES Meeting, the fellows attended a project management class and learned how to structure, plan and guide innovative research projects. Skills in project management are essential in both academia and industry and help to work more efficiently and successfully.
A physicist from the CCQED community who switched from academia to industry reported on his experience. Another talk informed about EU research funding possibilities for young researchers.
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Conferences Conference on Resonator QED from 9-13 September 2013 in Munich
In order to communicate results obtained within CCQED to the whole circuit and cavity QED community, the organization of major conferences is an important measure. A conference serves to establish contacts between researchers. Moreover, it allows researchers to draw attention to their work, and increases their visibility, which is in particular important for the career advancement of young scientists. Often, results are discussed at conferences long before they are published in peer-reviewed journals, meaning that attending conferences is the most efficient way to get an overview about current research.
The Journal Applied
Physics B sponsored a poster prize for the
Conference of Resonator QED. The picture shows the prize winners and
the jury.
With more than 140 participants from all over the world, the conference was a major and very successful CCQED event. The programme comprised 6 tutorials, 28 invited talks, 18 contributed talks and 57 posters. All CCQED partners from academia gave invited talks, and the CCQED industry partners
were represented with a booth showing their CCQED related products during the poster sessions.
Local network partners, Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and Walther Meißner
Institute, opened their institutes for a tour through their laboratories.
Moreover, the CCQED industry partners invited conference attendees to visit their facilities or offered to meet their experts.
48
Another conference
organized by CCQED takes place in Aarhus
at the beginning of November
2014.
49
Public EventsThe EU requires participants of the research framework programme to engage with the public, in order to promote the impact and visibility of their projects. Communication of EU-projects aims at making the public aware of the benefits stemming from EU-research funding and to show the value project results bring for European society and economy.
Having the group of Serge Haroche, Nobel Laureate in Physics in 2012, as a network partner, is a great opportunity to stimulate public interest in basic research and EU-funded projects at the same time. CCQED took this chance and organized a public evening lecture and a panel discussion with Serge Haroche, which was open to the general public. The audience had the chance to directly address questions and enter into dialogue with Serge Haroche and other high-level representatives from science, politics and industry.
50
Public Lecture by Serge Haroche 11 September 2013 at the Deutsches Museum in Munich
Panel Discussion11 September 2013 at the
Deutsches Museum in Munich
As a satellite event of the Conference on Resonator QED, a lecture for the general audience, held by Nobel Laureate Serge Haroche in the Deutsches Museum in Munich, was organized. With his presentation about “Manipulating photons non destructively and taming Schrödinger cats of light”, Serge Haroche explained the research field of cavity QED and particularly the experiments from his group in a non-technical way. Highlight of the evening was the presentation of two superconducting mirrors, the key element in his experiments, which Serge Haroche donated to the physics section of the Deutsches Museum. About 200 people were attending the event.
Central question of the discussion was, how innovation is related to basic research, and
if research needs to be application oriented to
benefit the society. This question arises in view of
the new European Framework Programme Horizon 2020, which
will promote research and innovation in an integrated manner. The discussion aimed
at examining the link between research and innovation in the eyes of representatives from basic research, politics, and industry. Participants were Wolfgang Burtscher (European Commission, DG Research and Innovation), Tommaso Calarco (University of Ulm), Carlos Härtel (General Electrics), Serge Haroche (Collège de France), and Jeanne Rubner (Bayerischer Rundfunk).
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Four key aspects illustrate the potential societal and economic impact of CCQED and how it strengthens both, the European economy and the European research community.
First, excellent training of young physicists provided through the network makes them highly skilled future employees of European companies, universities and research institutes, from which both, the European public and the private sectors will strongly benefit. A fellowship at CCQED is not limited to fundamental research. All CCQED fellows play an active part in the collaboration between companies and research institutes and are thereby engaged in applied science. Furthermore, CCQED is strongly committed to provide its fellows and also young scientists from outside the network with supplementary skills such as project management, presentation and software training which are crucial for their future careers in industry or academia.
Impactof CCQED
Second, the involvement of the private companies directly links fundamental research and applied science and leads to a permanent exchange of ideas and knowledge between those two sectors. As an example, CCQED’s industry-academia collaborations support the further development of the frequency comb, resulting in a marketable product with the potential of broad impact. Through the dialogue with researchers, companies become aware of the scientists’ particular needs, and scientists profit from customized products.
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Third, CCQED is convinced that the fascination and impact of its research as well as the general benefits stemming from European research funding shall be visible to society. One dissemination activity already implemented was the public evening lecture and the subsequent panel discussion on research and innovation.
Finally, as a network, CCQED creates social and professional bonds between people from different European countries and thereby helps to deepen European integration.
To summarize,
we are confident that the European
community benefits from this and future training
networks for young researchers.
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