topology

A deep analogy between topological materials and superconducting devices was recently theoretically established [1], in particular between a 3-dimensional topological solid and a 4-terminal superconducting junction. We propose to explore this analogy by designing and fabricating multiterminal superconducting junctions and by probing their quantized energy spectrum using circuit-QED techniques.

[1] R.-P. Riwar, M. Houzet, J. S. Meyer, Yuli V. Nazarov, Multi-terminal Josephson junctions as topological materials, arXiv:1503.06862

A recent discovery has shown that it is possible to confine light at length scales much below the conventional diffraction limit in semiconductors. Previously, this was only considered possible in metals through the excitation of plasmons, which unfortunately are associated with large optical losses. This new discovery opens tremendous possibilities for realizing a new regime of strong light-matter interaction, with important applications in quantum technology as well as the “holy grail” of integrating photonics and electronics.