Department of Applied Physics

Description

Condensed Matter Physics

Our research projects aim to create novel quantum mesophases---quantum liquid crystals, superglasses---through the introduction to the ultracold atomic physics toolbox of 1) long-range, anisotropic interactions via laser-cooled dipolar dysprosium gases, and 2) fully emergent optical lattices via multimode cavity QED. In addition, we are harnessing newly developed quantum manipulation tools such as the cryogenic atom chip to create a novel magnetic field microscope for imaging transport and exotic magnetism in strongly correlated materials.

Nanoscience and Quantum Engineering

Development of hybrid quantum circuits involving ultracold gases of highly magnetic atoms for quantum information networks. Development of novel atom chip microtraps of dysprosium for scaleable quantum memory directly interfaced with technologically relevant microwave and optical photons.

Lasers and Accelerators

Applications of high power and narrow linewidth lasers for the cooling, trapping, and spectroscopy of exotic atoms. Applications of frequency stabilized multimode resonators to the study of quantum soft matter in many body cavity QED. Laser trapping quantum degenerate gases in static or fully emergent optical lattices.

Selected Publications

• Biaxial nematic phases in ultracold dipolar Fermi gases
• Emergent crystallinity and frustration with Bose-Einstein condensates in multimode cavities
• Dysprosium magneto-optical traps
• Anisotropic sub-Doppler laser cooling in dysprosium magneto-optical traps
• Dynamic polarizabilities and magic wavelengths for dysprosium
• Spectroscopy of a narrow-line laser cooling transition in atomic dysprosium
• Atom-light crystallization of BECs in multimode cavities: Nonequilibrium classical and quantum phase transitions, emergent lattices, supersolidity, and frustration
• Trapping ultracold dysprosium: A highly magnetic gas for dipolar physics