Physique quantique

A case study is a lecture on three hours only aiming is to tell the complete “story” of a quantum device or a quantum effect from the discovery or realsation to today’s impact on the scientific community and even to society. The challenge is to be exhaustive within the time limit, i.e. to give the theoretical basis, describe the quantum nature of the effect and explain how it is possible to measure it. 

A few examples to give you an idea of what it is about are: Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID), single-photon detection, a concrete example of light trapping (atoms, dielectric spheres, etc.), the Aharonov-Bohm effect, quantum cascade lasers,... 

The aim is to illustrate a concrete case that demonstrates the quantum effect and makes it visible, bearing in mind that the lecture has to be adapted for the knowelefge of M1 students.

Quantum information combines quantum physics and information theory, leading to a conceptual shift in both disciplines. By implementing quantum protocols in physical systems and reformulating quantum physics in terms of information and logical operations, we gain powerful tools to investigate the distinctive features of quantum mechanics - such as its divergence from classical physics and the nature of the quantum-to-classical transition.

Computational physics plays a central role in all fields of physics, from classical statistical physics, soft matter problems, and hard-condensed matter. Our goal is to cover the basic concepts underlying computer simulations in classical and quantum problems, and connect these ideas to relevant and contemporary research topics in various fields of physics. In the TD’s you will also learn how to set, perform and analyse the results of simple computer simulations by yourself, covering a wide range of topics. We will use Python, but no previous knowledge of this programming language is needed.

The main goal of the course is to study the light-matter interaction at the fundamental level where one two-level system interacts with a single mode of the electromagnetic field. 

The lecture will first present the fundamental concept of cavity quantum electrodynamics (Jaynes–Cummings model, resonant and dispersive interaction, Schrödinger cat states of light) and then moves to the more recent developments of circuit QED.