K-LAB

At the Laboratory of Photonics and Quantum Measurements (K-LAB) in EPFL we investigate quantum effects in microscopic oscillators on a daily basis. We design and fabricate optical and mechanical mechanical micro and nano-resonators, devices which are capable of confining photons or phonons in small volumes for extended amount of time. We demonstrated that these mesoscopic objects are remarkably subject to the techniques for quantum control routinely employed on atoms, molecules and ions, by driving their dynamics with lasers or strong microwave signals.
In addition we have discovered that the nonlinear optical properties of high-Q microresonators allow the generation of optical frequency combs via soliton formation. Optical frequency combs have revolutionized frequency metrology and laser science over the past decade. Microresonator combs may spur a second revolution by enabling unprecedented integration levels, as well as high optical bandwidth and repetition rates.