Infrared time-domain quantum optics (In-tempo)

Spectral analysis provides a vital technique to fingerprint the vast array of chemicals, materials and biological matter we encounter on a daily basis. It is central to detecting the presence of noxious gasses or explosives, of contaminants in food, and vitally the correct chemical structure of medicines.

This fellowship will deliver a new technology outperforming the state of the art infrared detection, based on recent developments in quantum mechanics.

Infrared spectroscopy is far from being a well-established technology, mostly due to the limited sensitivity standard detectors have in the infrared part of the spectrum. A limited sensitivity, in turn, corresponds to a limit in the minimum detectable amount of the chemical compound under scrutiny, hindering the deployment of infrared spectroscopy.

This fellowship will address such problem combining two recently developed techniques: time-domain spectroscopy and quantum metrology.

Time-domain spectroscopy is an approach developed in the last two decades and relies on measuring a signal that arises from the nonlinear interaction between ultrashort pulses and the infrared field under investigation. In contrast to standard infrared spectroscopy, the measured quantity is not at infrared wavelengths but in the visible region, where detectors have better performances. The detection is therefore not bound to the limited sensitivity of infrared sensors. This technique too is affected by a limit in the sensitivity, which arises from the quantised nature of the radiation in the ultrashort probing pulse and is known as the standard quantum limit.

In-tempo will transform infrared spectroscopy, harnessing quantum metrology to overcome the standard quantum limit faced by time-domain spectrometers.

Quantum optical metrology studies ways to improve the sensitivity of measurements using quantum states of light, instead of conventional fields. Squeezed and NOON states are the main players in this discipline. Squeezed states have a lower quantum noise on one of their properties, such as the amplitude, in exchange for a higher noise in a conjugate characteristic, such as the phase. NOON states are non-classical wave packets acquiring twice the phase of their classical counterparts when used in interferometers. Twin beams are electromagnetic fields featuring intensity correlations at the quantum level, i.e. more equal than any replica obtained by classical means.

This fellowship will use squeezed, NOON and twin beam states instead of classic ultrashort pulses in a time-domain spectroscopy approach. This way it will overcome the standard quantum limit in infrared spectroscopy.

The new family of infrared-time domain spectrometers generated by this fellowship will be benchmarked against state-of-the-art traditional spectrometers. Potential market impact and routes to commercialisation will be investigated with the support of the engaged industrial partners.

This fellowship aims at making a landmark contribution to the application of quantum technologies, by addressing the rapidly expanding field of infrared spectroscopy.
Infrared spectroscopy enables applications such as gas, pollutants, explosives and chemical weapons detection, medical diagnostics, such as lactic acid and glucose screening, and forensic, and is expected to be valued at USD 1.26 Billion by 2022. The standard approach to infrared spectroscopy is based on Fourier-Transform Infrared spectrometers, used for material characterisation, contaminants detection, quality inspection and others, by a range of players spanning from large companies such as 3M and Boeing to Governments worldwide.
The proposed research will address this market, providing novel and enhanced tools for infrared spectroscopy, powered by recently developed quantum technologies.
Quantum technologies are transforming our world providing ultimate security to communications, enhanced imaging, and increased sensitivity to test the fundamental laws of nature. One day, they might also power computers enabling to solve problems that are currently out of our reach. This is the primary driver for the multi-million pounds' investments in quantum-related researches by China, Canada, US, EU, Japan and for the 270 million pounds the UK Government has devoted to quantum technologies research via the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme.
The technology proposed in this fellowship will have a transformative impact in the several areas dealing with security, quality monitoring and control.
-Knowledge. The fellowship will deliver new tools for enhanced detection in the infrared, which will have an impact on the study of fundamental aspects of light-matter interaction. Also, it will boost the development of quantum metrology.
-Economy. This fellowship aims at delivering demonstrators for a novel technology that will transform the current approach to infrared spectroscopy. The economic impact stems from the enabling capabilities of this technology such as detection of gasses or contaminant with higher sensitivity and distance resolution. The applicant aims at delivering the economic impact by engaging with the relevant industries and technology providers, such as Teraview, QMC, Optocap and the Fraunhofer in the UK, and other abroad (Zurich Instruments, Voxtel, TeTechS). The applicant is supported by Chromacity, Covesion and the QuantIC Quantum Hub in this challenge. The first two will provide the resources (lasers and crystals) that are required to build commercial demonstrators, as well as studies on the routes to commercialisation and economic impact. QuantIC will also advise on the best way to deliver economic impact and support with the identification of possible industrial partners. Once the supply-chain will be adequately established and the market investigated, a spin-out company dedicated to commercialising the proposed infrared spectrometer will also be considered. Such a product will have an impact on fields spanning the pharmaceutical, security, and research markets.
-People. This fellowship will provide training for the applicant, the research assistant and PhDs beyond scientific research. The ability to understand and build a business case, to successfully protect the IP and to license a technology will all be aspects of this training. Working in close collaboration with industrial partners will provide training to the applicant on the issues and possibilities offered by a University Spin-off, which could eventually be the solution to maximise the impact of the proposed research program.
-Society. Outreach and public engagement activities are also considered, with the aim of educating the public on basic concepts of quantum mechanics and the role they will play in the future technology. The support provided by the QuantIC Public Engagement and Communication Officer and the training requested will help to maximise the impact on society.