PhD Proposal: Maxwell Aifer
Location
Physics : 401
Date & Time
October 25, 2022, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Description
ADVISOR: Dr. Sebastian Deffner
TITLE: Quantum Thermodynamics of Quantum Optical Devices
ABSTRACT: The ability to control and transport the quantum state of light is an essential ingredient in near-term technologies such as quantum communication networks which promise benefits for society including enhanced security. The tendency of all systems to evolve towards thermal equilibrium makes quantum optical information processing tasks difficult to implement, because these protocols generally require the maintenance and control of states far from equilibrium. The devices used to control the quantum state of light tend to do so with some degree of irreversibility, although it is not understood to what extent this can be avoided, given the constraints of thermodynamics. Traditionally a macroscopic theory, thermodynamics has in recent years been extended to deal with microscopic systems subject to the laws of quantum mechanics, and this developing field is known as quantum thermodynamics. We propose to use the tools of quantum thermodynamics to study dissipation caused by quantum optical devices. We then propose to provide methods of optimally controlling optical quantum states in order to minimize dissipation.
TITLE: Quantum Thermodynamics of Quantum Optical Devices
ABSTRACT: The ability to control and transport the quantum state of light is an essential ingredient in near-term technologies such as quantum communication networks which promise benefits for society including enhanced security. The tendency of all systems to evolve towards thermal equilibrium makes quantum optical information processing tasks difficult to implement, because these protocols generally require the maintenance and control of states far from equilibrium. The devices used to control the quantum state of light tend to do so with some degree of irreversibility, although it is not understood to what extent this can be avoided, given the constraints of thermodynamics. Traditionally a macroscopic theory, thermodynamics has in recent years been extended to deal with microscopic systems subject to the laws of quantum mechanics, and this developing field is known as quantum thermodynamics. We propose to use the tools of quantum thermodynamics to study dissipation caused by quantum optical devices. We then propose to provide methods of optimally controlling optical quantum states in order to minimize dissipation.
