Research History:

Shortly after joining Professor Raymer’s research group at the University of Oregon, I realized that optics was the place to be. Optics experiments are self-contained. They are effective on a small scale and the results are generally immediate. My first few years were spent primarily building a Ti:Sapphire laser system with our postdoc Mark Beck (now a professor at Whitman College). Construction of this system took place from the ground up. We started with a completely empty optics table and proceeded to build, buy, and borrow everything. I learned a lot about building a lab and have a huge respect for the effort involved.

I participated in a diverse range of experiments in Raymer’s lab. From imaging through scattering media to measuring Wigner functions to ultrafast photon statistics of microcavity structures, we utilized our laser and measurement techniques fully. The work we did with VCSELs grown by Gibbs and Khitrova at Arizona was the first demonstration of a measurement technique to record the ultrafast photon statistics of a microcavity polariton-exciton.

My thesis work was on squeezed light generation. Specifically, I was able to demonstrate the first measurement of squeezing in a chi⁽²⁾ nonlinear optical waveguide. In fact I still hold the record for squeezing in this geometry, obtained in LiTaO₃ waveguides in a collaboration with Mool Gupta of Kodak (now at Old Dominion). This work helped me fully understand the delicacies of quantum optics experiments.
 
 

Joining the Institute of Optics for my postdoctoral work has been an outstanding experience. The Institute is considered by many to be the premiere optics department in the world and I now understand why. The faculty and students here are extremely motivated and there is a unique sense of comraderie between them. Naturally, I have learned a great deal of optics here.

My research has been primarily leading towards one goal: quantum control of cold molecules. In order to achieve this, we have concentrated our efforts on building several major components: a magneto-optic trap (MOT), a pulse shaping apparatus, a real-time measurement technique, a beam-pointing stabilizer, and a detection system. The only component we have not yet completed is the acousto-optic pulse shaper, but this should be finished soon. We have already demonstrated the first real-time pulse measurement technique using SPIDER. We have also observed spontaneous molecule formation in our Cs MOT. The pieces of the puzzle required for quantum control are fitting nicely into place, and we expect new results (and new publications) in the next six months.
 
 

Future Plans:

My long-term research goals are to continue this trek towards optical control of quantum systems and engage the question: Can we ultimately dictate an atom or molecule’s behavior? To make this journey, however, several steps must be implemented. An experiment this complex requires equipment and expertise. Therefore, a more realistic near-term goal is one in which undergraduates and graduate students would be ideally suited: Building a cost-effective ultrafast laser, pulse shaper, and real-time measurement system.

In the first year, I hope to build the laser and pulse measurement system. The laser system would likely be an ultrafast fiber laser of the Hermann Haus variety. The measurement system would be an adaptation of SPIDER. Since this fiber laser operates at 1.5 µm, this would provide an excellent test of SPIDER’s capabilities since it has never been used at this wavelength. Undoubtedly there would be interest in this result because of the obvious communications applications. Furthermore, I have recently identified a unique property of SPIDER that allows spectral phase reconstruction using a detector that has one-bit precision! The experimental verification of this would be a straightforward yet worthy achievement. When these first steps are completed, I will then concentrate on developing a pulse shaper and finally return to the task of probing and controlling atoms and molecules with the laser system. The whole system will be tied together with a feedback loop (for learning control) such as one based on a genetic algorithm. Questions that remain to be answered vary from the specific to the general: What are the effects of chirp on the molecular production rate in atom traps? What are the fundamental limitations to quantum control? How will our physical understanding of light-matter interactions benefit from learning control experiments?

I believe this course is achievable even with limited funding. There has been steady progress in ultrafast fiber lasers, the most expensive component of which is a suitable pump source. With high-power diode lasers, this cost can be kept to a reasonable level. I estimate a fiber ultrafast system could be constructed for under $10k. For the measurement technique, real-time SPIDER seems a natural choice. The most expensive components are a nonlinear crystal and diffraction gratings. This could be built for around $5k. A pulse shaper could also be constructed for a reasonable price. Methods employing liquid crystal modulators seem the obvious choice here (cheaper than the acousto-optic variety), with a total cost of approximately $5k. Finally, Carl Wiemann et al. have written a paper which describes how to make an atom-trap in a vapor cell for under $3k. I have analyzed this sytem and determined that it could be an optimal system for both undergraduates and graduate students alike.

Once other optical components and an optical table are factored in, the total cost is probably approaching $50-60k in equipment. However, there might be opportunities to work with corporate sponsors to secure donations. Several companies are highly interested in these techniques so there is a possible avenue for funding from corporate associates. A colleague indicated that companies sometimes donate equipment to enterprising educational ventures. To this end, I have a number of contacts with optics companies, who would likely be receptive to aiding a university which might provide quality employees. This could provide a straightforward means for university/corporate dialogue.

The goals for involving undergraduates and graduate students are very simple. They will construct these devices and in the process learn about pulsed lasers, measurement techniques, controlling properties of light such as the spectral phase, and trapping and cooling of atoms. There is still a great deal of room for experimentation in this arena, with obvious payoffs in publications, exposure, and students getting educated on the hot topics in physics.