Seminar by Prof TAME 'Quantum plasmonics'

Speaker: Dr Mark Tame, SARChI Professor in Photonics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Talk title: Quantum plasmonics 

Abstract:
Integrated photonics is an attractive platform for quantum state engineering. Here, dielectric materials are often used to construct complex optical circuitry. Plasmonic materials can provide a way to confine light to much smaller scales, which enables the enhancement of light-matter coupling. This can be used to build single-photon sources and switches, both of which are important for quantum technologies. Unfortunately, the confinement of light with plasmonics comes at the expense of significant loss. However, recent studies have shown that with careful engineering one can overcome loss and even exploit it for realising quantum applications at the nanoscale. I will talk about some of these applications, many of which have been experimentally demonstrated, including quantum sensing, quantum random number generation, and the production and distillation of entanglement.