The Johns Hopkins University

Whiting School of Engineering

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Two-photon absorption in optical microcavity devices

Seminar By

Scott Hendrickson

Graduate Research Assistant

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Abstract:

Recent work suggests that strong two-photon absorption (TPA) at single-photon intensities could be used for a number of useful devices in quantum information. To date two-photon absorption has only been observed at relatively high intensities. The rate of two-photon absorption is proportional to the intensity, which means that TPA can be enhanced by reducing the volume of a two-photon mode in the presence of a resonant atomic vapor. The total probability that two photons will be absorbed by one of the atoms is then further increased by maximizing the time over which the interaction takes place. In cavities this is accomplished by maximizing the Q-factor. In fiber optics this is done by increasing the interaction length. The goal of this work is to study and develop micro-scale optical devices to confine light to a small volume with minimal loss for possible use in studying TPA at single-photon intensities.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

4:00 P.M.

Barton 117

Refreshments will be served at 3:45 PM

FOR DISABILITY INFORMATION

CONTACT: Candace Abel (410) 516-7031 cabel@jhu.edu