Description:

Realizing and utilizing quantum correlations between many atoms and photons is an active area of physics that leads to fascinating dynamics at mesoscopic scales. In our group, we focus on coherently controlling photon-atom interactions to study collective behavior. This understanding can enable the deterministic engineering of large-scale interactions for applications in quantum communication and sensing. I will present our work on developing rare-earth-based quantum devices for the coherent storage and manipulation of optical information. We also explore a novel regime of collective light-atom interactions by harnessing cooperative coupling within large arrays of quantum centers. Finally, I will describe our efforts in quantum sensing using bright intensity-squeezed light.

Mahdi Hosseini earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the Australian National University in 2012, where he focused on developing highly efficient and versatile room-temperature quantum optical memories. He then pursued postdoctoral research at MIT, exploring cavity quantum electrodynamics through interactions of photons with laser-trapped atoms in high-finesse cavities. In 2016, he joined Purdue University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and in 2023, he transitioned to Northwestern University as an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His current research interests include quantum light interactions with rare-earth quantum centers in solids, quantum photonic devices, optomechanical and levitation sensing, and the applications of quantum squeezed light in sensing and communication. He has been recognized with the NSF Career Award (2022) and the DARPA Young Investigator Award (2024).

Mahdi Hosseini, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University

Host: Venkat Chandrasekhar