| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/K007793/1 |
| Title: |
Quantum Plasmonics |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ginzburg, Dr P |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
Kings College London |
| Scheme: |
EPSRC Fellowship |
| Starts: |
01 April 2013 |
Ends: |
01 March 2015 |
Value (£): |
264,087
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
|
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
Fundamental quantum-mechanical phenomena and nanotechnology can make significant contributions to new challenges of modern science, and nano-photonics is a key contributing factor in this endeavour.
Quantum-photonic devices may find use in various fields of science and technology, such as computing, information communications, biomedical imaging, and medicine. In terms of quantum communication applications, single photons and photonic entanglement are the most reliable approaches. While classical security keys are based on exponential complexity in their decoding (using classical computers which are available today), quantum keys are ideally 100% secure, relying on fundamental concepts of nature. The best-known quantum key distribution protocols are based on communication with single photons. The fundamental approach to security here relies on impossibility to copy the information without changing it (so-called 'no cloning' theorem). Protocols, based on entangled states, generate a secret key only after it has been delivered to an approved recipient. Moreover, computations based on quantum phenomena - i.e. replacing classical bits by q-bits - promise much faster and efficient realisations of different algorithms, such as the integer factorisation problem.
There is no doubt that nanotechnology has revolutionised science in the 21st century, not only because of the possibilities to manufacture devices of tiny dimensions, but also because it motivated a conceptual reconsideration of basic 'classical' concepts in fundamental and applied science. The interplay between classical and quantum effects lead to numerous opportunities to address old challenges and bring in new solutions for a large number of conventional problems. For example, in order to cause an efficient interaction with light on the nano-scale, one has to confine the electromagnetic field much beyond its free-space wavelength. While conventional dielectric structures are incapable of supporting optical fields much below a half-wavelength cube volume, metallic (plasmonic) structures at visible and near infrared (NIR) regimes - having negative electrical-permittivity - do not have such a limitation.
The overall aim of the project is to create a multi-disciplinary interface between two areas of science - 'quantum optics' and 'nano-plasmonics', and to reach a state-of-the-art understanding of nano-scale interactions in applications to quantum information and imaging. From a fundamental point-of-view, the proposed research will lead to an understanding of the potential underlying limitations of a plasmonic platform for quantum optical technologies. In terms of applications, the research will concentrate on communication and computations with the proposed sources in the sub-wavelength scales and on imaging with quantum state illumination.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
|