Chirality in quantum optics

In recent years quantum optics, the study of quantised light-matter interaction, has started to look into chiral effects, thereby allowing to investigate the effects of the symmetry breaking inherently associated with them.

A primary test bed for light-matter interactions are optical lattices formed by coherent counter-propagating light beams. They offer precise control over the positions and interactions of ultracold atoms and molecules. This has applications in the formation of artificial molecules and as a natural quantum register for quantum information science. The lattice potential is typically provided by variations in the intensity of interfering laser beams and is as such not chiral.

In this project PhD student will investigate the design of optical lattices which vary in helicity rather than intensity. Thus, neighbouring lattice sites have a different handedness with regards to light-matter interactions and consequently chiral objects, such as molecules or suitably dressed, experience different interactions.