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Physical Measurement Laboratory /Applied Physics Division

Quantum Nanophotonics Group

The Quantum Nanophotonics Group develops new metrological devices and tools for a wide range of applications, including single photonics for quantum networks, neuromorphic computing, and quantum transduction.

The Quantum Nanophotonics Group creates novel devices to enable state-of-the-art metrology for a wide variety of applications. We combine nanophotonic device design and modeling with complex micro-and nano-fabrication techniques to develop integrated photonic devices (semiconductor lasers, wavelength converters, polarization rotators), quantum transducers, and superconducting optoelectronic single-photon synapses for neuromorphic computers. Our work is tightly coupled to the work in the Faint Photonics Group.

News and Updates

Projects and Programs

Transmission Electron Micrograph

Hybrid Quantum Optomechanical Systems with Solid-State Artificial Atoms

Ongoing
Quantum Dot – Surface Acoustic Wave Microwave-to-Optical Transducers In this project, we focus on coupling nanoscale acoustic resonators with InAs quantum dot (QD) single photon sources (Fig. 1). At ultra-low temperatures, such as those in a dilution refrigerator, the acoustic resonators act as
epilayer

Integrated Photonics

Ongoing
The Integrated Photonics Project utilizes heterogeneous materials integration to demonstrate novel optoelectronic devices such as semiconductor lasers, wavelength converters, and polarization rotators with compact form. We use materials including silicon, silicon dioxide, tantalum pentoxide, and
A scanning electron micrograph of a QDOGFET device used for photon number-resolving detection.

Nanostructure Fabrication and Metrology

Completed
This project develops semiconductor nanostructures, especially self-assembled quantum dots and photonic crystals, for a variety of applications including single photonics, laser diodes, and quantum optical metrology. It also develops quantum optical metrology based on other sources and detectors
He4 cryostat

Physics and Hardware for Intelligence

Ongoing
Our work in this area can be separated into two categories: conceptual and experimental. Please read our publications linked below for more information. Experimental: Our latest generation of synaptic circuits are described in a 2024 paper published in APL Machine Learning. These circuits are our

Publications

Modeling Spiking Neurons without Spikes

Author(s)
Jeff Shainline, Bryce Primavera, Ryan O'Loughlin
While spiking neuromorphic hardware holds promise for efficient implementations of artificial intelligence, the impact has been limited due in part to a lack of

Software

hTron cell

SOEN Process Design Kits

This technology package, a.k.a process design kit (PDK), defines the NIST superconducting optoelectronics process: OLMAC. It is in the klayout format of

Awards

Press Coverage

TAKING MEASURE BLOG

Krister Shalm, wearing safety glasses, smiles over a lab table covered with electronics equipment.

Quantum and Dance: It Takes 2 to Entangle

Quantum physics and dancing may seem very different, but they both rely on creativity and precision. Both have shaped one NIST researcher’s outlook on life.

Contacts

Group Leader