Quantum technologies based on crystalline rare-earth ion doped optical waveguides and resonators

The ultimate goal of this project is the reversible transfer of quantum states from an atom to light, a missing but critical process for quantum computing. This reversible transfer requires enhancement of the atom-light interaction that can be achieved using very small, high quality, optical resonators. This project will study ions doped into crystalline substances rather than atoms in a vacuum. The dopant ions are held stationary and have long coherence times, they also sit in the solid state where the intensity of the cavity mode is greatest. This project will study the interaction between light and the ions in high-Q millimeter sized optical resonators and research the fabrication and performance of micron scale devices.