LeviNet - Levitation Network for Advanced Quantum Technologies
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
** Micro-mechanical systems play a key role in quantum communication & sensing technologies. Their sensitivity & coherence rapidly degrade as they shrink due to dissipation to the environment. Levitation breaks this pathway, allowing free quantum evolution & extreme sensitivity.**
In 2018, Arthur Ashkin was joint-awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the development of optical tweezers; a technique for controlling the motion of microscopic objects using light. The applicability ranges from single atoms, through nano- and micro-particles, to biological objects such as cells. This technology has enables the quantum control of gases of atoms, which are now used in cutting-edge gravity- and magnetic field- sensors, and optical tweezers are ubiquitous in the medical sciences for example to test for diabetes.
In 2010, groups in the UK, USA and Austria simultaneously proposed that it should be possible to control nanoparticles, levitated in a vacuum using focussed laser beams, so well that they would enter the quantum regime. This would be an astounding feat, since nano-objects are many orders of magnitude larger than any other object to have displayed quantum behaviour. Exactly 10 years after the initial proposal, this goal was experimentally realised by LeviNet members. The desirability of cooling massive objects (compared to atoms) to the quantum regime is two-fold: it opens the path to exploring fundamental quantum physics, and since they behave as mechanical oscillators they can participate in advanced quantum technologies.
The precision control of optically trapped particles is known as levitated optomechanics. The UK has shown strong support for this growing discipline, investing £14M of a global £65M investment. As groups around the world realise quantum levitated systems, and develop robust supporting technologies, it is key that the UK remains a decisive player at this point of proven quantum application, through a focussed and intensive programme of knowledge-sharing. LeviNet brings together all the key players in the world to realise this goal.
Key information will be communicated, and new collaborations between researchers and industry founded, through the provision of all-member conferences. Specific problems will be tackled as a community at workshops and 1-day online focus-groups. Younger researchers will get the opportunity to learn new skills and share knowledge by participating in short scientific missions to other research groups.
In 2018, Arthur Ashkin was joint-awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the development of optical tweezers; a technique for controlling the motion of microscopic objects using light. The applicability ranges from single atoms, through nano- and micro-particles, to biological objects such as cells. This technology has enables the quantum control of gases of atoms, which are now used in cutting-edge gravity- and magnetic field- sensors, and optical tweezers are ubiquitous in the medical sciences for example to test for diabetes.
In 2010, groups in the UK, USA and Austria simultaneously proposed that it should be possible to control nanoparticles, levitated in a vacuum using focussed laser beams, so well that they would enter the quantum regime. This would be an astounding feat, since nano-objects are many orders of magnitude larger than any other object to have displayed quantum behaviour. Exactly 10 years after the initial proposal, this goal was experimentally realised by LeviNet members. The desirability of cooling massive objects (compared to atoms) to the quantum regime is two-fold: it opens the path to exploring fundamental quantum physics, and since they behave as mechanical oscillators they can participate in advanced quantum technologies.
The precision control of optically trapped particles is known as levitated optomechanics. The UK has shown strong support for this growing discipline, investing £14M of a global £65M investment. As groups around the world realise quantum levitated systems, and develop robust supporting technologies, it is key that the UK remains a decisive player at this point of proven quantum application, through a focussed and intensive programme of knowledge-sharing. LeviNet brings together all the key players in the world to realise this goal.
Key information will be communicated, and new collaborations between researchers and industry founded, through the provision of all-member conferences. Specific problems will be tackled as a community at workshops and 1-day online focus-groups. Younger researchers will get the opportunity to learn new skills and share knowledge by participating in short scientific missions to other research groups.
Organisations
| Description | Invitation to speak at the "Nanomechanical and electromechanical systems" session at CMD29 conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Was invited as the chair of LeviNet to speak at CMD29 about the research from the grant LevElectro. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://iop.eventsair.com/cmd29/nanomechanical-and-electromechanical-systems |
| Description | The Inaugural LeviNet Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was the Inaugural Conference funding by the LeviNet network, held at King's College London. We had 80 in-person attendees and 33 online attendees from 69 institutions around the world, including China, Japan, South America and the Middle-East. There were 25 speakers, 34 poster presentations and we awarded £18,000 in travel bursaries. All of the major international research groups in our field were represented. As well as traditional talks, we held three brainstorming sessions which helped shape the forward-direction of the network. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.levinet.org/the-inaugural-levinet-conference/ |