Many-body physics with photons : when light matters
26-30 mai 2025
Institut d'Etudes Scientifiques de Cargèse - Cargèse (France)
Over the past two decades, tremendous progress has been made in controlling ultracold quantum gases, establishing these systems as highly versatile platforms for studying many-body quantum physics. Ultracold atoms have enabled the exploration of various phases of matter, from Bose-Einstein condensates to Mott insulators and Bose glasses, with precise control over interactions, dimensionality, and external potentials. The richness of these platforms also stems from the ability to probe physical observables with exceptional precision, such as one- and two-body correlations, momentum distributions, and excitation spectra. In parallel, a new class of quantum systems—quantum fluids of light—has emerged as a complementary and promising tool. In these systems, photons, traditionally viewed as non-interacting particles, acquire an effective mass and tunable interactions via coupling to matter in nonlinear photonic environments. These advances have enabled the observation of phenomena analogous to quantum gases, such as Bose-Einstein condensation and superfluidity. The unique advantage of fluids of light lies in their ability to implement tailored Hamiltonians, manipulate experimental parameters with unparalleled flexibility, and detect physical properties using advanced optical techniques. This context opens up an exciting new direction: studying strongly correlated regimes with photons. While ultracold atomic gases provide direct analogs to material systems, quantum fluids of light offer a platform to explore phenomena where light itself becomes a many-body quantum system, presenting unprecedented opportunities for quantum simulation and a deeper understanding of quantum interactions. This workshop aims at bringing together the communities of strongly correlated quantum gases, quantum fluids of light, and quantum optics to foster the exchange of ideas and collaborations. While ultracold gases have provided a robust framework for studying strongly interacting physics, quantum fluids of light offer a complementary, flexible, and highly detectable platform. In particular, the convergence of these fields could pave the way for novel experimental platforms to investigate phenomena such as transitions to strongly correlated phases, topological effects, and out-of-equilibrium states. The specific goals of the workshop include: - Identifying experimental mechanisms necessary to access strongly correlated regimes with photons. - Sharing theoretical and numerical techniques to model these systems. - Exploring potential synergies between ultracold gases and quantum fluids of light, especially for designing hybrid quantum simulators. - Initiating interdisciplinary collaborations between experimentalists and theorists to overcome technical and conceptual challenges. The workshop will feature keynote lectures, specialized presentations, a poster session, and a dedicated discussion session to design platforms for exploring strongly correlated photon regimes. This event provides a unique opportunity to lay the groundwork for a new generation of experiments at the interface of light and matter.
Discipline scientifique :
Physique
Lieu de la conférence