LPHYS'26
34th Annual International Laser Physics Conference

Quantum Simulation and Sensing with Photon-Mediated Interactions

J K Thompson1

1 JILA and Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder CO, USA

Seminar: Pl — Plenary Session

Thursday, 9 July 2026 · 09:40 – 10:20

Abstract

Photons bouncing back and forth many times between highly reflecting mirrors provide a novel way to mediate interactions between laser-cooled atoms held between the mirrors. Such cavity-mediated interactions provide a unique set of tools for both quantum sensing and simulation. In this talk, I will discuss our efforts to sculpt these interactions in order to expand the palette of cavity-mediated interactions that can be realized [1–7].

As two examples, we have harnessed these interactions to realize entanglement-enhanced sensitivity in two leading quantum sensing platforms, matter-wave interferometers [8] and optical clocks [9], with future applications to new-physics searches as well as practical timing and navigation technologies.

References

  1. D J Young, A Chu, E Y Song, et al., Nature 625, 679 (2024); DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06911-x
  2. D J Young, E Y Song, A Chu, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 183404 (2025); DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.183404
  3. C Luo, H Zhang, A Chu, C Maruko, A M Rey, and J K Thompson, Nat. Phys. 21, 916 (2025); DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-02866-0
  4. C Luo, H Zhang, C Maruko, et al., Science 390, 925 (2025); DOI: 10.1126/science.adv0990
  5. C Luo, H Zhang, V P W Koh, et al., Science 384, 551 (2024); DOI: 10.1126/science.adi1393
  6. Z Niu, V M Schäfer, H Zhang, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 113403 (2025); DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.113403
  7. E Y Song, D Barberena, D J Young, et al., Sci. Adv. 11, eadu5799 (2025); DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adu5799
  8. G P Greve, C Luo, B Wu and J K Thompson, Nature 610, 472 (2022); DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05197-9
  9. J M Robinson, M Miklos, Y M Tso, et al., Nat. Phys. 20, 208 (2024); DOI: 10.1038/s41567-023-02310-1
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