Project acronym Q-DIM-SIM
Project Quantum spin simulators in diamond
Researcher (PI) Nir BAR-GILL
Host Institution (HI) THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2016-STG
Summary Quantum interacting systems are at the forefront of contemporary physics, and pose challenges to our understanding of quantum phases, many-body dynamics, and a variety of condensed matter phenomena. Advances in quantum applications, including quantum computation and metrology, rely on interactions to create entanglement and to improve sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit. In recent years tremendous effort has been invested in developing precision experimental tools to study and simulate complicated many-body Hamiltonians. So far, such tools have been mostly realized in cold atomic systems, trapped ions and photonic networks.
I propose a novel experimental approach using Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond, superconducting couplers, super-resolution addressing and cryogenic cooling, as a many-body quantum spin simulator. The NV center is a unique spin defect in a robust solid, with remarkable optical properties and a long electronic spin coherence lifetime (∼3 ms at room temperature). We have recently demonstrated that this coherence time can be extended to almost 1 second at low temperature, paving the way for interaction-dominated NV-based experiments.
The goal of this project is to develop a paradigm of atom-like spin defects in the solid-state as a platform for studying elaborate quantum many-body spin physics (e.g. the Haldane phase in 2D) and quantum information systems (e.g. one-way quantum computing). I intend to combine a low temperature environment with a novel optical super-resolution system and nanofabricated superconducting structures on the diamond surface to produce a unique experimental setup capable of achieving this goal. The ability to engineer and control interacting NV systems in the solid-state diamond lattice has far-reaching applications for studying fundamental problems in many-body physics and in quantum information science.
Summary
Quantum interacting systems are at the forefront of contemporary physics, and pose challenges to our understanding of quantum phases, many-body dynamics, and a variety of condensed matter phenomena. Advances in quantum applications, including quantum computation and metrology, rely on interactions to create entanglement and to improve sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit. In recent years tremendous effort has been invested in developing precision experimental tools to study and simulate complicated many-body Hamiltonians. So far, such tools have been mostly realized in cold atomic systems, trapped ions and photonic networks.
I propose a novel experimental approach using Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond, superconducting couplers, super-resolution addressing and cryogenic cooling, as a many-body quantum spin simulator. The NV center is a unique spin defect in a robust solid, with remarkable optical properties and a long electronic spin coherence lifetime (∼3 ms at room temperature). We have recently demonstrated that this coherence time can be extended to almost 1 second at low temperature, paving the way for interaction-dominated NV-based experiments.
The goal of this project is to develop a paradigm of atom-like spin defects in the solid-state as a platform for studying elaborate quantum many-body spin physics (e.g. the Haldane phase in 2D) and quantum information systems (e.g. one-way quantum computing). I intend to combine a low temperature environment with a novel optical super-resolution system and nanofabricated superconducting structures on the diamond surface to produce a unique experimental setup capable of achieving this goal. The ability to engineer and control interacting NV systems in the solid-state diamond lattice has far-reaching applications for studying fundamental problems in many-body physics and in quantum information science.
Max ERC Funding
1 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-01-01, End date: 2021-12-31
Project acronym SMART
Project Structured nonlinear Metamaterials for efficient generation and Active functional control of Radiation of THz light
Researcher (PI) Tal ELLENBOGEN
Host Institution (HI) TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE7, ERC-2016-STG
Summary The terahertz optical regime, covering the long wavelength end of the optical spectrum, has been for many years the least explored spectral regime. Recent interest in this regime has led to important emerging applications spanning many disciplines including medical, biological, materials sciences, communications, security, and basic sciences. However, advances in these emerging applications are held back by the lack of good and controllable terahertz light sources.
I propose to lead a potential breakthrough in this field by developing a new family of THz sources with unmatched functionality. The developed sources will be based on nano-engineered nonlinear heterostructured metamaterials, man-made materials with artificial optical properties. The proposal is based on very recent studies that show that metamaterials can be used to emit THz light with excellent efficiency, comparable to the best available nonlinear materials in nature. In addition it relies on our recent experimental demonstrations of functional nonlinear metamaterials that allow unprecedented control of nonlinear optical interactions. We will apply this recent knowledge to design novel active metamaterials that efficiently emit THz light at any desired frequency, shape and polarization, focus it directly from the emitter to a desired sample location and even actively steer and modify its radiation properties all-optically. In addition, we will enhance the THz generation efficiency from metamaterials by more than three orders of magnitude compared to the state of the art. We will also use our expertise to fabricate large scale and multi-layered THz light emitting metamaterials by leveraging novel nanolithography methods. Overall I expect that the outcome of this research will be in development of one of a kind family of THz light emitters that will lead to the, long sought for, leap in THz technology and will open the door to new applications and to new tools for advancing fundamental science.
Summary
The terahertz optical regime, covering the long wavelength end of the optical spectrum, has been for many years the least explored spectral regime. Recent interest in this regime has led to important emerging applications spanning many disciplines including medical, biological, materials sciences, communications, security, and basic sciences. However, advances in these emerging applications are held back by the lack of good and controllable terahertz light sources.
I propose to lead a potential breakthrough in this field by developing a new family of THz sources with unmatched functionality. The developed sources will be based on nano-engineered nonlinear heterostructured metamaterials, man-made materials with artificial optical properties. The proposal is based on very recent studies that show that metamaterials can be used to emit THz light with excellent efficiency, comparable to the best available nonlinear materials in nature. In addition it relies on our recent experimental demonstrations of functional nonlinear metamaterials that allow unprecedented control of nonlinear optical interactions. We will apply this recent knowledge to design novel active metamaterials that efficiently emit THz light at any desired frequency, shape and polarization, focus it directly from the emitter to a desired sample location and even actively steer and modify its radiation properties all-optically. In addition, we will enhance the THz generation efficiency from metamaterials by more than three orders of magnitude compared to the state of the art. We will also use our expertise to fabricate large scale and multi-layered THz light emitting metamaterials by leveraging novel nanolithography methods. Overall I expect that the outcome of this research will be in development of one of a kind family of THz light emitters that will lead to the, long sought for, leap in THz technology and will open the door to new applications and to new tools for advancing fundamental science.
Max ERC Funding
1 937 500 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-01-01, End date: 2021-12-31
Project acronym Struct. vs. Individ
Project The ‘Declining Significance of Gender’ Reexamined: Cross-Country Comparison of Individual and Structural Aspects of Gender Inequality
Researcher (PI) Hadas Mandel Levy
Host Institution (HI) TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), SH3, ERC-2016-COG
Summary The comparative research of long-term trends largely neglects structural mechanisms of gender inequality, i.e. the gender bias in which jobs and activities are evaluated and rewarded. I argue that as more women become integrated in positions of power, the stronger the role of structural elements is likely to become. However, because these are less visible and amenable to empirical assessment, they are under-researched compared to individual aspects, and are commonly assumed to be gender-neutral. The implication is that the importance of gender as a determinant of economic inequality in the labour market becomes insufficiently acknowledged, and thus difficult to track and eradicate.
My empirical objective is to track structural vs. individual processes of gender inequality over a period of 40 years, using the case of occupations. My aim is to uncover the countervailing processes of women’s (individual) upward occupational mobility versus women’s (collective) effect on occupational pay. I argue that the effects of structural aspects of gender inequality increase over time, but are concealed by women’s (individual) upward mobility.
I expect the dynamic of the two processes to vary between countries and also by class. I thus seek to examine the processes in four representative countries – Sweden, Germany, Spain and the United States – that differ in many of the institutional aspects that affect gender inequality, including the provision of welfare, gender ideology, wage structure, and political economy factors. Therefore, gender in/equality processes in these countries are expected to take different forms in both structural and individual appearances. That said, in all countries I expect gender equality processes to be more pronounced and rapid for advantaged women. At the structural level, however, the rapid upward occupational mobility of skilled and educated women may expose highly rewarded occupations to devaluation and pay reduction more than others.
Summary
The comparative research of long-term trends largely neglects structural mechanisms of gender inequality, i.e. the gender bias in which jobs and activities are evaluated and rewarded. I argue that as more women become integrated in positions of power, the stronger the role of structural elements is likely to become. However, because these are less visible and amenable to empirical assessment, they are under-researched compared to individual aspects, and are commonly assumed to be gender-neutral. The implication is that the importance of gender as a determinant of economic inequality in the labour market becomes insufficiently acknowledged, and thus difficult to track and eradicate.
My empirical objective is to track structural vs. individual processes of gender inequality over a period of 40 years, using the case of occupations. My aim is to uncover the countervailing processes of women’s (individual) upward occupational mobility versus women’s (collective) effect on occupational pay. I argue that the effects of structural aspects of gender inequality increase over time, but are concealed by women’s (individual) upward mobility.
I expect the dynamic of the two processes to vary between countries and also by class. I thus seek to examine the processes in four representative countries – Sweden, Germany, Spain and the United States – that differ in many of the institutional aspects that affect gender inequality, including the provision of welfare, gender ideology, wage structure, and political economy factors. Therefore, gender in/equality processes in these countries are expected to take different forms in both structural and individual appearances. That said, in all countries I expect gender equality processes to be more pronounced and rapid for advantaged women. At the structural level, however, the rapid upward occupational mobility of skilled and educated women may expose highly rewarded occupations to devaluation and pay reduction more than others.
Max ERC Funding
1 395 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-07-01, End date: 2022-06-30
Project acronym TRAPLAB
Project Lab Based Searches for Beyond Standard Model Physics Using Traps
Researcher (PI) Guy RON
Host Institution (HI) THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2016-STG
Summary In this project I will measure a critical constant (beta-nu correlation) of the standard model to a precision of at least 0.1%, an order of magnitude improvement over the state of the art. The project will provide a platform for beyond standard-model (BSM) explorations, based on modern atom/ion trapping and a new accelerator facility.
High precision measurements of beta decay correlations in trapped radioactive atoms and ions are one of the most precise tools with which to search for BSM physics. The recently published US National Science Advisory Council 2015 Long Range Plan states: ``Measurements of the decays of neutrons and nuclei provide the most precise and sensitive characterization of the charge-changing weak force of quarks and are a very sensitive probe of yet undiscovered new forces. In fact, weak decay measurements with an accuracy of 0.1% or better provide a unique probe of new physics at the TeV energy scale``. Ne and He isotopes are particularly attractive due to calculable SM values, high sensitivity to several manifestations of BSM physics, ease of production, and lifetimes in the useful range for such experiments.
This program combines a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) and an Electrostatic Ion Beam Trap (EIBT) to perform a high-precision, competitive, measurement of correlations in the decay of such nuclei. The MOT program focuses on the neon isotopes, where existing measurements are of insufficient quality, and have unique sensitivities to aspects of BSM physics. The EIBT program focuses on measurements using 6He (where a comparison with existing measurements is of great import) and the aforementioned neon isotopes, allowing a direct comparison between the two systems within the same facility (a unique worldwide capability). The combination of these methods will allow an extraction of the beta-nu coefficient to the 0.1% level, making this proposal a forerunner in the field, which will provide a leap-step in the current set of world data.
Summary
In this project I will measure a critical constant (beta-nu correlation) of the standard model to a precision of at least 0.1%, an order of magnitude improvement over the state of the art. The project will provide a platform for beyond standard-model (BSM) explorations, based on modern atom/ion trapping and a new accelerator facility.
High precision measurements of beta decay correlations in trapped radioactive atoms and ions are one of the most precise tools with which to search for BSM physics. The recently published US National Science Advisory Council 2015 Long Range Plan states: ``Measurements of the decays of neutrons and nuclei provide the most precise and sensitive characterization of the charge-changing weak force of quarks and are a very sensitive probe of yet undiscovered new forces. In fact, weak decay measurements with an accuracy of 0.1% or better provide a unique probe of new physics at the TeV energy scale``. Ne and He isotopes are particularly attractive due to calculable SM values, high sensitivity to several manifestations of BSM physics, ease of production, and lifetimes in the useful range for such experiments.
This program combines a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT) and an Electrostatic Ion Beam Trap (EIBT) to perform a high-precision, competitive, measurement of correlations in the decay of such nuclei. The MOT program focuses on the neon isotopes, where existing measurements are of insufficient quality, and have unique sensitivities to aspects of BSM physics. The EIBT program focuses on measurements using 6He (where a comparison with existing measurements is of great import) and the aforementioned neon isotopes, allowing a direct comparison between the two systems within the same facility (a unique worldwide capability). The combination of these methods will allow an extraction of the beta-nu coefficient to the 0.1% level, making this proposal a forerunner in the field, which will provide a leap-step in the current set of world data.
Max ERC Funding
1 297 813 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-12-01, End date: 2021-11-30
