Romero-Isart, Oriol
ICREA Research Professor
Experimental Sciences & Mathematics
Short biography
Research interests
Over the last 5 years, my research group (romeroisartgroup.com) has focused on quantum optics and nanophysics. Our main research activity has been in the field of levitodynamics - the levitation and control of microobjects in vacuum using optical, magnetic, and electric forces, where we have established a leading position. Our contributions to this field in the past 5 years include developing a quantum theory of light matter interaction for levitated microspheres, designing protocols to prepare large macroscopic quantum superpositions, and studying the use of internal solid-state excitations in levitated micromagnets to cool their center-of-mass motion. We have recently published a review article in Science that summarizes the state of the art in this exciting research field, which has applications for fundamental science and technology.
In addition to levitodynamics, we have also done research in other areas of quantum science, collaborating closely with experimental groups. Our work has included understanding experiments involving cold atoms trapped in the evanescent field of optical fibers and in optical tweezers, and proposing pulse engineering techniques to address quantum emitters in the optical and microwave regimes, with applications for superconducting qubits and quantum magnonics.
Our research, which prioritizes quality, innovation, and experimental relevance, has had significant impact in terms of scientific publications and third-party funding. We have published 37 articles (6 under review) since 2018, including 13 in Physical Review Letters, 1 in Science, 2 in Nature Physics, 1 in Physical Review X, and 13 long articles in other Physical Review journals. These articles range from cutting-edge experimental proposals to thorough theoretical modelling and understanding of complex quantum optics experiments. We were also awarded an ERC Synergy grant in 2020, which I am coordinating together with the leading experimental groups in the field of levitodynamics.