Welcome to the quantum optics lab
We explore fundamental quantum physics with atoms, photons and phonons and harness it for applications in quantum technology. In our experiments we study many-particle entanglement in Bose-Einstein condensates, explore hybrid atom-optomechanical systems, and develop quantum memories and sensors with atomic vapour cells. Our research combines experiment with theory, employing techniques of atomic physics, quantum optics and optomechanics. A common goal of our activities is to investigate quantum physics in systems of increasing size and complexity.
News from the lab
Quantum physics - from paradox to technological revolution
Watch Philipp's public lecture on quantum physics held as a part of the department's Saturday Morning Physics event series
Paolo Colciaghi wins SPS Award
Each year, the Swiss Physical Society awards topical prizes for exceptional PhD thesis. We congratulate Paolo Colciaghi on winning this year's award, sponsored by ABB, for his work on the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox between two…
Optical Memory in a Microfabricated Rubidium Vapor Cell
Scalable quantum technology can appear hopelessly out of reach when we envision having to replicate room-sized experiments full of complex machines. In our latest memory experiments we flip the script by demonstrating optical storage in a…
Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Experiment with two Bose-Einstein condensates
We observed the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox with two spatially separated, massive many-particle systems. Our results show that the conflict between quantum mechanics and local realism does not disappear as the system size increases to…
Optical Coherent Feedback Control of a Mechanical Oscillator
Coherent feedback is a kind of feedback that processes and feeds back quantum signals without measuring the system. We implemented a coherent feedback loop consisting of a light field interacting twice with the same mechanical mode of a…
Maryse and Paolo Receive QCQT Excellence Awards
Congratulations to Maryse Ernzer and Paolo Colciaghi! Both of their 2022 research has been recognized with QCQT excellence awards.
Thomas Karg wins SPS Award
Each year, the Swiss Physical Society awards topical prizes for exceptional PhD thesis. We congratulate Thomas Karg on winning this year's Metrology award, sponsored by METAS, for his work on the strong coupling of a nanomechanical…
Single-Photon Storage in a Ground-State Vapor Cell Quantum Memory
Storing single photons from solid state sources in hot atomic vapor has been a long standing challenge due to read-out noise produced by the atoms. With a storage scheme exploiting polarization selection rules we have succeded in storing…
Coherent Feedback Cooling of a Nanomechanical Membrane with Atomic Spins
Coherent feedback stabilises a system towards a target state without the need of a measurement, thus avoiding the quantum backaction inherent to measurements. In our experiment, we employ optical coherent feedback to remotely cool a…