Quantum Optical Metrology
Novel Techniques to Characterize Materials and Devices Used in Biology and Biochemistry, Photonics, Optoelectronics, and Telecommunication
Our objective is to conduct research at the frontier of quantum optics in order to develop novel quantum measurement techniques that do not have classical analogs and surpass conventional approaches in amount of information obtained and in the accuracy of measurement.
Review Articles:
A. V. Sergienko "Quantum Metrology With Entangled Photons", in "Recent Advances in Metrology and Fundamental Constants", CXLVI International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi", T. J. Quinn, S. Leschiutta, and P. Tavella (Eds.), IOS Press, Amsterdam (2001), pp. 715-746.[pdf]
- Quantum Optical Coherence Tomography (QOCT): Quantum
entanglement protects single-photon wavepackets from dispersive spreading (quantum dispersion
cancellation effect) inside the biological tissue and increases resolution in comparison
with conventional optical coherence tomography.
Characterization of biological samples without photodamage. Obtaining information in a broad spectral range from the visible to mid-infrared using novel supeconducting single-photon detectors.
Associated publications:
- Quantum Ellipsometry -- Biophysics and biochemistry of complex proteins on a surface. Characterization of organic and semiconductor layered structures used in
modern optoelectronics..
- The main objective of this project is to develop a new approach to characterize parameters of biological and photonics materials in transmission and in reflection configuration using our ability for the sub-femtosecond measurement of optical delay between two orthogonally polarized signal and idler waves in SPDC. We have shown experimentally that it is possible to control the relative space-time position of two single-photon femtosecond wavepackets with the attosecond resolution. This approach can be considered as a quantum counterpart to the conventional optical ellipsometry.
Associated publications:
A. Abouraddy, K. Touissant, A. V. Sergienko, B. E. A. Saleh, and M. C. Teich "Quantum Ellipsometry", J. Opt. Soc. Am. B, v.19, pp. 656-662 (2002).[pdf]
- High-resolution multi-channel measurement of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) and polarization dependent loss (PDL) in communication fibers and components of optical networks (switches, routers, couplers, multiplexers, etc).
Associated publications:
- Absolute measurement of quantum efficiency of photon counting detectors without any standards. The NIST level of accuracy is now available at every lab or manufacturing facility. Quantum mechanics is a democratic standard!!!
Associated publications:
A. Czitrovszky, A. Sergienko, P. Jani, and A. Nagy "Measurement of Quantum Efficiency Using Correlated Photon Pairs and Single-Detector Technique", Metrologia, v.37, pp.617-620 (2000).
- Direct evaluation of the IR source temperature. Measurement of infrared radiation parameters without IR detectors or absorption (radiation usable during measurement procedure). IR spectrometer without moving parts or IR detectors. Applications in optical metrology, physical measurements, as well as in industrial and military applications including recognition of unknown infrared signals.
Associated publications:
- Sagnac interferometer using entangled photons and enhanced sensitivity gyroscope for navigation with the dispersion cancellation effect. Fiber sensors. Ultrasensitive measurement of changes in major physical parameters.
- Single-photon correlation spectroscopy. To enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of conventional spectroscopy techniques. Picosecond resolution in detection of very low-level optical signals. Important for the study of organic and biological molecules in small concentrations or for the spectroscopy of remote and dilute samples.
- Study of fundamental interactions of quantum light with quantum physical systems (quantum-well semiconductors and semiconductor microcavity structures). Quantum tunneling and surface effects. Acquire knowledge to control the manufacturing process and to design new devices.