Participation in funded national and international projects

Main scientific activities

Quantum Optics

Quantum state generation and manipulation

Various techniques, mainly based on the interaction of short laser pulses with nonlinear crystals, are developed for the generation of highly nonclassical light states. Single photons, single-photon-added classical states, delocalized single photons are produced. Applications to quantum computing and quantum information protocols.

Quantum tomography

A time-domain tomographic technique for the complete characterization of quantum light states has been developed and is currently used to analyze the peculiar properties of radiation produced in our lab.

Exploration of quantum features

Novel techniques for the nonlocal preparation and manipulation of quantum light states are being introduced. Non-classical features and nonlocal behavior are being examined as a test of fundamental physics and for possible applications in the quantum information and communication fields.

Ultrashort pulses and highly nonlinear sources

High-order harmonics

Coherent radiation in the extreme ultraviolet (XUV) is produced by high-order harmonic generation. Simple and cost-effective alternative to synchrotron facilities. Applications to plasma interferometry, XUV spectroscopy and attosecond pulse generation.

Supercontinuum generation

The coherence properties of supercontinuum generated by the interaction of amplified laser pulses with transparent materials are investigated in various temporal and spatial configurations. Applications to the development of optical frequency combs for metrology and ultra-precise time measurements; applications in the field of fiber communications and WDM.

Ultrashort pulse generation and propagation

The processes involved in the amplification, propagation and interaction of ultrashort light pulses with matter are investigated. Applications to the generation of phase-stabilized few-cycle pulses and non-diffracting electromagnetic missiles.

Optical Coherence Tomography

Novel non-invasive diagnostic technique that allows a stratigraphic investigation of materials. First applications to cultural heritage (ancient paintings) in close collaboration with the “Opificio delle Pietre Dure” restoration facility in Florence.

Main scientific results

· Demonstration of phase coherence in high-order harmonic generation

· Demonstration of phase coherence in supercontinuum generation

· Demonstration of absolute phase preservation in ultrashort pulse amplification

· First application of high-order harmonics to XUV interferometry

· Demonstration of high-resolution XUV Ramsey spectroscopy with high-order harmonics

· First application of Optical Coherence Tomography to artwork diagnostics

· Development of the highest frequency quantum tomographic detection system

· First generation and complete analysis of quantum-to-classical transition for light states

· Demonstration of nonlocal temporal shaping with entangled photon pairs

· First remote temporal delocalization of a single photon

· First direct verification of non-commutativity of quantum operators

· First realization of arbitrary sequences and coherent superpositions of simple quantum operators

Participation in funded national and international projects

PRA-INFM 2000 “CAT”
FISS-MIUR 2000 “Generazione ottica di stati quantistici correlati”
FISS-MIUR 2001 “Laser ultraintensi per ottica quantistica e non-lineare”
PRIN-MIUR 2001-2003 “Logic gates for quantum communications with slow light”.
EU-FP5-LASERNET I3 network for advanced laser applications.
FIRB-MIUR 2002 “Microdispositivi fotonici in Niobato di Litio”
EU-FP6-LASERLAB network and FOSCIL JRA project.
EU-FP6-XTRA network for the generation and applications of XUV and x-ray sources.
PRIN-MIUR 2005-2007 “Generation, manipulation and detection of entangled light for quantum communications”.
CNR-RSTL 2008 “Sorgenti di fotoni entangled con cristalli nonlineari strutturati per la comunicazione e la crittografia quantistica”.

Some highlights

· Marco Bellini and Theodor Hansch performed the first fundamental experiments about the phase coherence of supercontinuum together. Prof. T.W. Hansch has recently won the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physics for the development of an ultra-precise frequency measurement technique based on those results.

· Marco Bellini was one of the three winners of the year 2000 “Le Scienze” (Italian edition of Scientific American) competition for the best scientific paper among young researchers.

· Alessandro Zavatta won the 2004 “Young Scientist of the Year” ITALGAS Prize.

· The recent results of the group in the field of quantum optics and the involvement in the 2005 Nobel Prize have seen a wide coverage in both, scientific and popular, national and international, press.