V. Savona : Introduction to the theory of open quantum systems.
1. The quantum master equation of a system coupled to a Markovian environment. General and microscopic derivations.
2. Stochastic unravelings: quantum trajectories and continuous homodyne measurement.
3. Examples of application: the damped harmonic oscillator, phase noise, dissipative state engineering, noisy quantum channels, hands-on efficient numerical implementations.

 

C. Galland : Fundamentals of quantum sensing and its experimental realization with solid-state spins.
1. Quantum description of two-level systems and their interaction with electromagnetic fields (incl. reminders from QO I and II). Bloch sphere, pulsed interactions in the rotating frame.
2. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy with continuous and pulsed RF and microwave fields. Basics of nuclear magnetic resonance.
3. Introduction to solid state spin qubits - focus on the negatively charged nitrogen vacancy center in diamond: electronic and spin states, hyperfine structure, optical properties, excited state and spin dynamics.
4. Experimental realisations of quantum sensing with NV centers: sensing magnetic fields, electric fields, temperature, strain, etc. Spin noise spectroscopy and its applications in condensed matter physics and biology.
5. Diamond micro- and nano-fabrication techniques for diamond photonics. Practical considerations about instrumentation for quantum sensing.

 

JP Brantut : Quantum simulation with ultracold atoms
1. General framework of quantum simulation, effective low-energy models
2. Atom-atom interactions, Feshbach resonances
3. The BEC-BCS crossover, Tan's relations
4. Optical lattices, superfluid to Mott insulator quantum phase transition

 

Foreseen evaluation procedure: A one- or half-day mini-symposium will be organised, in which each student will be presenting one of the proposed papers. Some pre-established (and spontaneous) questions will be asked by the three EPFL lecturers. Grades will be granted according to the quality of the understanding demonstrated during the presentation and the answers to the questions. Questions asked by the students will also be encouraged and valued.