Prof. Dr. Maria Chekhova receives ERC Advanced Grant
The team around Prof. Dr. Maria Chekhova, Professor of Optics at FAU and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, has been funded with the highest European research grant. With a highly competitive ERC-Advanced Grant of 2,5 Million Euro for five years, the scientific team will investigate how complex quantum light can be generated and used.
New sources of quantum light
Quantum light plays a central role in modern technologies, for example enabling secret communication or particularly sensitive measurements such as the detection of gravitational waves. Quantum light is usually generated through non-linear optical effects, for example by splitting a light particle – a photon – into two lower-energy photons. This takes place in crystals, optical fibers or special light-guiding structures.
Maria Chekhova, Professor of Optics at FAU and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, has succeeded in generating quantum light from ultra-thin sources. Being only a few hundred nanometers thick, these sources enable very unusual physical effects – for instance, a single source can generate different types of quantum light simultaneously.
In the new project, Maria Chekhova wants to exploit the full potential of these flat, multifunctional sources and generate not only pairs of photons, but also much more complex quantum light states that have never been observed before. She also aims to convert photon pairs into other types of quantum light or to change their frequencies.
The project aims to expand the possibilities of existing quantum optics and pave the way for a new generation of compact, powerful and versatile quantum light sources.
Grants from European Research Council
With its Advanced Grants, the European Research Council recognizes excellent achievements of experienced scientists in research. The funding is available to established, active researchers with an excellent academic track record over the last ten years. In the call for applications in 2024, a total of 281 Advanced Grants were awarded throughout Europe, amounting to a total of 721 million euros in funding.
Prof. Dr. Maria Chekhova receives ERC Advanced Grant
The team around Prof. Dr. Maria Chekhova, Professor of Optics at FAU and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, has been funded with the highest European research grant. With a highly competitive ERC-Advanced Grant of 2,5 Million Euro for five years, the scientific team will investigate how complex quantum light can be generated and used.
New sources of quantum light
Quantum light plays a central role in modern technologies, for example enabling secret communication or particularly sensitive measurements such as the detection of gravitational waves. Quantum light is usually generated through non-linear optical effects, for example by splitting a light particle – a photon – into two lower-energy photons. This takes place in crystals, optical fibers or special light-guiding structures.
Maria Chekhova, Professor of Optics at FAU and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, has succeeded in generating quantum light from ultra-thin sources. Being only a few hundred nanometers thick, these sources enable very unusual physical effects – for instance, a single source can generate different types of quantum light simultaneously.
In the new project, Maria Chekhova wants to exploit the full potential of these flat, multifunctional sources and generate not only pairs of photons, but also much more complex quantum light states that have never been observed before. She also aims to convert photon pairs into other types of quantum light or to change their frequencies.
The project aims to expand the possibilities of existing quantum optics and pave the way for a new generation of compact, powerful and versatile quantum light sources.
Grants from European Research Council
With its Advanced Grants, the European Research Council recognizes excellent achievements of experienced scientists in research. The funding is available to established, active researchers with an excellent academic track record over the last ten years. In the call for applications in 2024, a total of 281 Advanced Grants were awarded throughout Europe, amounting to a total of 721 million euros in funding.
ERC Grants at FAU
Further information
Prof. Dr. Maria Chekhova
91058 Erlangen
Photo on the top: Prof. Dr. Maria Chekhova has been awarded one of the coveted Advanced Grants from the European Research Council (ERC).