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  4. Vahid Sandoghdar

Prof. Vahid Sandoghdar

  • Director
  • Head of Nano-Optics Division

The research of our group aims to advance experimental and theoretical mastery of light-matter interaction at the nanometer scale and to achieve the same degree of control and finesse that is known from the gas-phase quantum optics in the condensed phase. To do this, we combine concepts from quantum optics, laser spectroscopy, cryogenics, optical imaging, scanning probe technology and nanofluidics. In this endeavour, we have addressed a wide spectrum of scientific questions, ranging from quantum optics to biophysics. For more information, please consult our research website and our list of publications.

1991

Cavity QED level shifts of simple atoms

E. A. Hinds, Vahid Sandoghdar

Physical Review A 43 398-403 (1991) | Journal

We have made a quantitative study of quantum electrodynamic corrections to the energy of some simple atoms near a metallic surface. (i) The two-level atom provides a basic framework within which we discuss the van der Waals, Casimir, and resonant radiative level shifts. In this discussion we show that the level shifts of an excited atom are substantially different from those of a classical dipole antenna. (ii) We calculate the possible cavity QED corrections to the n = 2 and n = 1 hydrogen Lamb-shift measurements and obtain results that disagree with the published literature. (iii) We find a general expression for the shifts of the lowest S and P levels of alkali-metal atoms near a conducting surface. These might be studied in the laboratory as a test of cavity QED.

External-cavity frequency-stabilization of visible and infrared semiconductor lasers for high resolution spectroscopy

M.G. Boshier, D. Berkeland, E.A. Hinds, Vahid Sandoghdar

Optics Communications 85 355-359 (1991) | Journal

We have shown that external cavity stabilization can be a straightforward and powerful technique for converting diode lasers of poor spectral quality into useful tools for high precision laser spectroscopy. The method requires an anti-reflection coating on one facet of the diode laser but, contrary to popular belief, this is not difficult and does not require any specialized equipment. We describe a coating procedure which can be used with standard commercial diode lasers. We have demonstrated the external cavity method using diodes at a variety of visible and infrared wavelengths. Details are given for a visible laser centered at 670 nm.

Born on April 29, 1966 in Tehran, Iran. Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of California in Davis (1987), Ph.D. in Physics (supervisors: E. A. Hinds and S. Haroche) from Yale University (1993), Postdoctoral Fellow at École Normale Supérieure (group of S. Haroche) in Paris. Head of the Nano-Optics group und habilitation in Physics at University of Konstanz (Chair of J. Mlynek). Professorship at Eidgenössischen Technischen Hochschule (ETH) Zurich (2001-2011). Recipient of an ERC Advanced Grant (2010). Alexander von Humboldt Professorship at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and Director and Scientific Member at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen since 2011. Fellow of the Optical Society (OSA) and recepient of the 2023 Quantum Electronics and Optics Award for Fundamental Aspects from the European Physical Society. Founder of the Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin, a joint research center that aims to address questions in fundamental medical research with physical and mathematical methods.

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