Fifteen years of quantum optics, quantum information, and nano-optics educational facility at the Institute of Optics, University of Rochester

Abstract

The quantum optics/quantum information and nano-optics educational laboratory facility (QNOL) at the University of Rochester (UR) is located within three rooms of the Institute of Optics with a total area of 587 ft2. It has been used for teaching a 4-credit-hour QNOL class annually for 15 years. Four teaching labs were prepared on the generation and characterization of entangled and single (antibunched) photons demonstrating the laws of quantum mechanics: (1) entanglement and Bell’s inequalities, (2) single-photon interference (Young’s double slit experiment and Mach–Zehnder interferometer), (3) single-photon source I: confocal fluorescence microscopy of single nanoemitters, and (4) single-photon source II: a Hanbury Brown and Twiss setup, fluorescence antibunching. Further, based on QNOL, 1.5 to 3 h sturdy quantum “mini-labs” were developed and introduced into the required classes such that all optics students at the UR had experience with quantum labs. Monroe Community College (MCC) students participated in two mini-labs at the UR. Since 2006 to spring 2022, a total of ~850 students have utilized the labs for lab report submission (including 144 MCC students) and more than 250 students have used them for lab demonstrations. In addition, UR freshman research projects have become a very important educational activity in this facility. All developed materials and students’ reports are available at http://www.optics.rochester.edu/workgroups/lukishova/QuantumOpticsLab/. We present a description of sturdy, universally accessible experiments that can be introduced into either a separate advanced class or into classes with a large number of students. Assessment methods, evaluation of students’ knowledge, and their attitude toward their career in quantum information are discussed.