Lindsay LeBlanc, PhD

Associate Professor, Faculty of Science - Physics

Contact

Associate Professor, Faculty of Science - Physics
Email
ljleblan@ualberta.ca
Phone
(780) 492-6562
Address
3-207 Centennial Ctr For Interdisciplinary SCS II
11335 Saskatchewan Drive NW
Edmonton AB
T6G 2H5

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Ultracold quantum gases Quantum technologies


About

Research Website

  • 2020 - present: Associate Professor, University of Alberta 
  • 2013 - 2020: Assistant Professor, University of Alberta 
  • 2014 - present: Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Ultracold Quantum Gases
  • 2015 - 2019: Fellow, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Quantum Materials Program
  • 2014 - 2017: AITF Strategic Chair (Tier 3) in Hybrid quantum systems
  • 2010 - 2013: NSERC Postdoctoral fellow, Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Maryland 
  • 2011: Ph.D. Physics, University of Toronto 
  • 2005: M.Sc. Physics, University of Toronto 
  • 2003: B.Sc. Engineering Physics, University of Alberta

Research

Research Website

Quantum gases of ultracold atoms are well-suited to address fundamental quantum physics questions, using established atomic physics techniques for control, manipulation, and measurement. Through a combination of laser cooling, optical trapping, and magnetic field control, we can engineer systems that mimic other physical systems, especially those found in condensed matter, and use the principles of quantum simulation to study phenomena that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to explore.

The University of Alberta Ultracold Quantum Gases Laboratory focusses on two primary areas of research:

Quantum simulation

A dual-species Rb-K apparatus is designed to study the many-body states of matter that emerge under the influence of strong interactions, spin-orbit coupling, and unique external potentials. We are especially interested in looking for new types of many-body order, especially at the transitions between different states and through out-of-equilibrium dynamics. Here, we seek to answer questions about the differences between the individual and communal behaviour of quantum particles as complexity increases towards conventional, classical behaviour.

Hybrid quantum systems and quantum technologies

Using a reconfigurable ultrahigh vacuum system, we will create ultracold gases of atoms and bring them close to the surfaces of solid state devices, both to study the coupling between the electronic and magnetic degrees of freedom between the two systems, and to use one to probe the other. These experiments will focus on using the advantages of the ultracold atoms systems (long coherence times and low temperatures) with the ability to interface solid state devices, including macroscopic microwave cavities, with conventional computation and readout. 


Teaching

Currently, the Ultracold Quantum Gases Laboratory includes four PhD and three Masters students. Opportunities are often available for post-doctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate research projects/internships. 

Currently, I am teaching Phys 146: Fluids and Waves.

Every second year, I will be teaching a cross-listed undergrad/grad course in Winter term: Phys 495/595: Quantum Atomic and Optical Physics

Announcements

Openings are often available for postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate research experiences. For more details, contact Prof. LeBlanc.

Our lab is part of the Quanta CREATE program; for details, see ualberta.ca/~quanta

Courses

PHYS 146 - Fluids and Waves

A calculus-based course for students majoring in the physical sciences. Fluid statics and dynamics, elasticity and simple harmonic motion; sound waves, wave properties of light; quantum waves, wave-particle duality. Prerequisite: PHYS 124 (see Note following) or 144. Corequisite: MATH 118 or 146. Note: MATH 115 is not acceptable as a co-requisite but may be used as a pre-requisite in place of MATH 118 or 146. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of PHYS 126, 130, 146 or SCI 100. Note: To proceed to PHYS 146 after taking PHYS 124, it is strongly recommended that a minimum grade of B- be achieved in PHYS 124.


Browse more courses taught by Lindsay LeBlanc

Publications

Atomic microwave-to-optical signal transduction via magnetic-field coupling in a resonant microwave cavity

Author(s): A. Tretiakov, C. A. Potts, T. S. Lee, M. J. Thiessen, J. P. Davis, L. J. LeBlanc
Publication Date: 4/20/2020
Publication: Applied Physics Letters
Volume: 116
Page Numbers: 164101
External Link: https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.5144616

Coherent storage and manipulation of broadband photons via dynamically controlled Autler-Townes splitting

Author(s): Erhan Saglamyurek, Taras Hrushevskyi, Anindya Rastogi, Khabat Heshami, and Lindsay J. LeBlanc.
Publication: Nature Photonics
External Link: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-018-0279-0

Discerning quantum memories based on electromagnetically-induced-transparency and Autler-Townes-splitting protocols

Author(s): Anindya Rastogi, Erhan Saglamyurek, Taras Hrushevskyi, Scott Hubele, Lindsay J. LeBlanc
Publication: Physical Review A
Volume: 100
Page Numbers: 012314
External Link: https://journals.aps.org/pra/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevA.100.012314

Magnetic-field-mediated coupling and control in hybrid atomic-nanomechanical systems

Author(s): A. Tretiakov, L. J. LeBlanc
Publication: Physical Review A
Volume: 94
Page Numbers: 043802
External Link: https://journals.aps.org/pra/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevA.94.043802

Single-photon-level light storage in cold atoms using the Autler-Townes splitting protocol

Author(s): E. Saglamyurek, T. Hrushevskyi, L. W. Cooke, A. Rastogi, L. J. LeBlanc.
Publication: Physical Review Research
Volume: 1
Page Numbers: 022004
External Link: https://journals.aps.org/prresearch/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.1.022004