Our group is world experts on developing photonic integrated circuits based on group III-V semiconductors on insulator (SiO2) architectures. Applications include: Quantum photonics (on-chip spontaneous parametric down conversionand quantum light frequency conversion), On-chip optomechanical systems for Stimulated Brilouin Scattering and low noise microwave photonics, second- and third-order integrated nonlinear photonics, and development of heterogeneous photonic integrated circuits (PICs) for photonic control of next generation quantum sensors.

A major thrust of this work is the development of heterogeneous PICs operating at sub-micrometer wavelengths for integration with micron-scale neutral atom (such as rubidium and cesium) vapor cells. Such a platform aims to leverages heterogeneous integration of PICs with on-chip active components — such as lasers, modulators, and photodetectors — with trapped-ion and neutral-atom systems to realize a new generation of quantum sensors with reduced size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP). Such fully integrated, compact systems will enable a wide range of sensing applications, including chip-scale optical atomic clocks, accelerometers, gravimeters, magnetometers, and electric field imagers to support GPS-free positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies. Our goal is to develop end-to-end capabilities in this area, including system-level design and modeling, cleanroom fabrication, and optical characterization of completed devices. NIST is a world-leader in the fields of atomic physcis and development of photonic integrated circuits. This project seeks to enable advances in both fields that will enable integrated quantum sensors to become ubiquitous in metrology and spectroscopy laboratories around the world.

A list of selected publications are below for further reference:

• N. Nader, E. J. Stanton, G. M. Brodnik, N. Jahan, S. C. Weight, L. M. Williams, A. E. Dorche, K. L. Silverman, S.W. Nam, S. B. Papp, and R. P. Mirin, "Heterogeneous tantala photonic integrated circuits for sub-micron wavelength applications," Optica 12, 585-593 (2025), https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.554862
• A. Boes, M. Strain, L. Chang, and N. Nader; "Hybrid and heterogeneous integration in photonics: From physics to device applications." Appl. Phys. Lett. 127, 130401 (2025), https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0300643
• L. C. Ahler, E. Z. Ulsig, E. J. Stanton, P. H. Godoy, S. C. Weight, N. Nader, A. Z. Leger, I. Degli-Eredi, R. P. Mirin, and N. Volet, "Second-order nonlinear frequency conversion in InGaP-on-insulator waveguides," Opt. Lett. 50, 3652-3655 (2025), https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.555573
• N. Nader et al., "Heterogeneously Integrated Distributed Feedback Lasers at 980 nm," 2024 IEEE 29th International Semiconductor Laser Conference (ISLC), Orlando, FL, USA, 2024, pp. 1-2, https://doi.org/10.1109/ISLC57752.2024.10717343
• L. C. Ahler et al., "High-Efficiency InGaP-on-Silicon Frequency Downconversion for Quantum Communication Applications at 1550 nm," 2025 IEEE Silicon Photonics Conference (SiPhotonics), London, United Kingdom, 2025, pp. 1-2, https://doi.org/10.1109/SiPhotonics64386.2025.10985391

Integrated Photonics; On-chip Lasers; Heterogeneous Integration; Photonic-Atomic Integration; Quantum Sensors; Quantum Photonics, Nonlinear Photonics

citizenship

Open to U.S. citizens

level

Open to Postdoctoral applicants