The aim of this project is the development of a setup able to emit nonclassical light in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral region. In particular, this project targets the generation of squeezed states of light at 3.8 μm wavelength by exploiting a down-conversion second-order nonlinear process in an OPO cavity. The preliminary OPO system is already in operation in our lab. In this project, the candidate will work on the electronic improvement of the setup to reduce pump noise leakage in the generated squeezed modes and to increase the sensitivity performance of the detection system. The implemented system will be applied to detect the presence of non-classical correlations in the emitted signal/idler photonic states.
Contact person: davide.mazzotti(at)ino.cnr.it
Mid-IR light characterization at and below the standard quantum limit
To extend the advantages of quantum technologies to the mid-MIR spectral region, one key aspect is the possibility of investigating and controlling the statistics of light at the quantum level. To achieve this purpose, dedicated advanced optoelectronic setups must be designed, realized, and operated. In this thesis, the candidate will be involved in the design, realization, and characterization of low-noise electronic boards for light detection at and below the standard quantum limit. The setup will then be applied to test the intensity noise of several different mid-MIR laser sources to be used for quantum-enhanced sensing applications and/or optical telecommunication.
Contact person: tecla.gabbrielli(at)ino.cnr.it
Electron-to-photon noise transfer in mid-MIR laser sources
In photonics detection experiments, one of the crucial parameters to be optimized is the signal-to-noise ratio. For this reason, a proper characterization of the intensity noise has to be performed and effective strategies to reduce it must be adopted. In optoelectronic emitters, like semiconductor lasers, intensity noise may be determined by driving current noise. In this thesis work, the candidate will investigate the electron-to-photon noise transfer function in mid-IR quantum cascade lasers. This investigation will pave the way for the applicability of such emitters in high-sensitivity and quantum-enhanced applications.
Contact person: francesco.cappelli(at)ino.cnr.it
Development of Mid-IR sensors for environmental monitoring
We are developing optical sensors based on the combination of photoacoustic spectroscopy with MEMS technology and high-finesse optical cavities, to detect trace molecules in gaseous samples. The target applications are environmental monitoring, health analysis, safety, and security. This technique is particularly interesting because of its sensitivity and flexibility, which allows for different possible configurations of the key components that can be selected and assembled according to the specific application.
In this thesis, the candidate will work through the assembly and characterization of the sensor, thus gaining expertise in all the steps of the realization of the sensor, with the possibility of testing different configurations to maximize the detection sensitivity. An open activity that can be carried on by the candidate is the investigation of schemes for quantum-enhanced sensing by using shot-noise-limited or sub-shot-noise radiation, as well as by exploring unconventional regimes using custom MEMS structures designed for quantum optomechanical experiments.
Contact person: simone.borri(at)ino.cnr.it
Quantum correlations in THz laser sources
The migration of Quantum Technology (QT) to the terahertz (THz) frequency range is technologically challenging yet holds immense potential for future implementations of quantum computation protocols, quantum teleportation, and enhancing the capacity, robustness, and security of certain free-space quantum communication channels. In this context, our project aims to exploit quantum-enhanced sensitivity in THz sensing by exploiting two-mode squeezed states, as already demonstrated in visible and near-infrared spectroscopy and metrology.
The candidate will be engaged in developing a platform for detecting and characterising non-classical squeezed states of THz light. This involves using THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) frequency combs as nonlinear sources to produce multi-mode squeezed states of light, in combination with graphene nanoscale quantum sensors for detecting quantum states.
Contact person: luigi.consolino(at)ino.cnr.it