Quantum Breakthrough: Liquid Crystals Host First SPDC Experiment

In a significant scientific breakthrough, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) and the Jozef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia, have achieved a groundbreaking demonstration of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) using liquid crystals. This marks the first instance where SPDC, a crucial process in generating entangled photons for quantum technologies, has been successfully implemented in a liquid crystal medium.

Traditionally, SPDC has been confined to solid materials due to their inherent crystal structure and asymmetry necessary for the photon-splitting process. Liquid and gaseous materials, being isotropic and lacking the required symmetry breaking, were previously unsuitable for SPDC. However, the discovery of ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals, characterized by elongated and asymmetric molecular structures, has opened new possibilities.

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The ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals used in the study exhibit strong central symmetry breaking despite their fluidic nature. This unique property allows them to support the SPDC process when subjected to an external electric field. This capability enables researchers to manipulate and control the polarization and generation rate of photon pairs produced by these materials.

The research, published in Nature, highlights the efficiency and tunability advantages of liquid crystal-based quantum light sources. The liquid crystal medium, synthesized by Merck Electronics KGaA and prepared at the Jozef Stefan Institute, demonstrated photon pair generation efficiency comparable to that of the best nonlinear crystals like lithium niobate. Moreover, the ability to switch photon pair generation on and off with a minimal electric field of a few volts underscores the practical utility of these materials in future quantum devices.

This pioneering development not only expands the scope of SPDC beyond traditional solid-state materials but also opens avenues for developing flexible and efficient quantum light sources. The ability to tune and integrate these liquid crystal-based devices into complex quantum optical systems promises advancements in quantum computing, cryptography, and communications.

The collaboration between MPL and the Jozef Stefan Institute, supported by Merck Electronics KGaA, underscores the interdisciplinary efforts driving innovation in quantum photonics. This research heralds a new era in quantum technology, where liquid crystals play a pivotal role in advancing the capabilities of photonics for future quantum applications.

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