Course description
There are two main tracks of this lab course:
| • | quantum foundation |
| • | quantum control |
We will explore various topics in quantum foundation by performing some classic single-photon experiments (quantum optics lab), while sophisticated quantum control protocols will be implemented with nitrogen-vacancy centers and microwave sequences (quantum spin lab).
Course plan
| • | 1st week: introduction and preparation (9/4) |
| • | 2nd-15th week: 14 regular lab sessions (9/11-12/11) |
| • | 16th week: bonus lab session (12/18) |
Course content
| ♠ | quantum optics lab (regular session) | |
| 1. | Lab1a | HBT experiment with attenuated laser |
| 2. | Lab2a | Photon pair source |
| 3. | Lab3a | HBT experiment with one arm of the pair source |
| 4. | Lab4a | GRA experiment with classical and nonclassical light |
| 5. | Lab5a | Malus’ law for single photons |
| 6. | Lab6a | Single photon Michelson interferometer |
| 7. | Lab7a | Quantum eraser |
| ♠ | quantum spin lab (regular session) | |
| 8. | Lab1b | Photoluminescence from NV-centers |
| 9. | Lab2b | Optically detected magnetic resonance |
| 10. | Lab3b | Rabi oscillation |
| 11. | Lab4b | Relaxation times |
| 12. | Lab5b | Dynamical decoupling |
| 13. | Lab6b | Single qubit operations and quantum state tomography |
| 14. | Lab7b | Hyperfine spectroscopy |
♠ bonus quantum optics lab
Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm for quantum computing
Teaching method
| 1. | Essential theoretical background of each experiment will be covered in lectures, which will be delivered |
| in the form of board work. | |
| 2. | Data analysis as well as interpretation of experimental results are critical in effective learning of |
| quantum physics. To this end, academic writing and scientific communication will be emphasized throughout this course. |
Primary references
Secondary references
Evaluation
4 lab reports (100%) ＋ bonus credits
| • | Lab reports (no page limit) are evaluated based on the following criteria: |
| 1.comprehension (connection between concepts, data, and interpretation) | |
| 2.clarity (logic flow) | |
| 3.readability (English adequacy) | |
| 4.completeness (data from regular lab objectives) | |
| 5.graphic illustration (clear data presentation, appropriate font size, detailed captions) | |
| Each criteria is scored under the 5 pt scale: terrible (1pt) / poor (2pt) / fair (3pt) / good (4pt) / excellent (5pt) Each student should submit 4 reports for lab sessions of the student’s choice. Note that it is unnecessary to write a report for each lab session. Copying and pasting materials from the lab manual (text, graphics) are not allowed in any lab report. | |
| • | Report submission deadline: 2 weeks after the corresponding lab session (Wed. 2pm). |
| The overdue penalty is 1 pt off per 24 hours past deadline. Deadline extension (up to 4 weeks) can only be requested for Lab2a, Lab6a, Lab7a and Lab4b by sending an email to the instructor before the regular report deadline. | |
Bonus credits
| • | Completion of each bonus objective: 1pt on the corresponding lab report |
| • | Attendance of the bonus lab session: 5pt |
| • | After reading the brief historical review (Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 150001) and the Quantum Foundations Collection webpage, |
| submit a 1-2 page essay of your own reflection using the lab report template: 5pt (webpage link: https://promo.aps.org/quantum-foundation-collection) | |
| • | Collaboration in regular lab session: 1pt per session for each team member |
other
| • | Policy on Generative AI: Prohibited use |
| • | Dropout policy: No dropping out after 9/18 |
