Clade works on atom-recoil interferometry, using Bloch-oscillation-enhanced light-pulse atom interferometers to measure the photon recoil velocity of atoms with extreme precision, from which the fine-structure constant is extracted as one of the most stringent tests of QED and the Standard Model. This precision-metrology approach is a core exemplar of atom-interferometric quantum sensing at LKB.
Alex Clark's group works at the interface of quantum science and technology, focusing on: (1) quantum imaging with undetected photons (mid-IR sensing at 3.28 µm using CMOS cameras and entangled photons — QIUP technique); (2) single-molecule photon sources (molecules coupled to nanophotonic cavities); (3) quantum memory protocols (ORCA and ATS in atomic vapours for telecom-band photon storage); (4) integrated photonics for quantum sensing. Director of QET Labs; Work Package Leader in three UK Quantum Technology Hubs.
Rachel Clark's research focuses on integrated quantum photonic devices, squeezed light generation on-chip, and nonlinear photonics. Research: (1) on-chip squeezed light generation in silicon nitride and lithium niobate waveguide platforms; (2) continuous-variable quantum photonic circuits; (3) nonlinear photonics for quantum sensing. This group is directly relevant to quantum-enhanced sensing with squeezed light.
Specializes in quantum information and hybrid quantum systems. Directions: (1) superconducting qubit quantum computing and error correction; (2) hybrid quantum systems coupling superconducting qubits to mechanical resonators, spin systems, and optical photons; (3) quantum-limited microwave amplification; (4) co-PI DARPA QuSeN — quantum sensing of neutrinos via phonon-coupled SC qubit sensors (2025). Director Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility (PNF). AAAS and APS Fellow.
Clements studies dusty, infrared-luminous galaxies and gravitationally lensed submillimetre sources using Herschel, ALMA and other facilities to probe galaxy formation and evolution, and works on transient/anomaly detection in large astronomical surveys.
Theorist developing frameworks for quantum sensing, control, and amplification in driven-dissipative quantum systems. Directions: (1) quantum noise theory for optomechanical and electromechanical sensors — fundamental limits and backaction evasion; (2) parametric amplification and squeezing beyond standard quantum limit; (3) non-reciprocal quantum systems for quantum-limited amplifiers; (4) quantum sensing theory for GW detectors and CMB experiments. 2020 Simons Investigator in Theoretical Physics.
Cohadon and Heidmann co-lead the Optomechanics and Quantum Measurements group at LKB. Research directions: (1) Back-action evasion and Standard Quantum Limit (SQL) — early demonstration of radiation-pressure back-action in a micro-mirror (Nature 2006), subsequent beating of SQL via quantum correlations; (2) Micro/nanomechanical resonators — 2D photonic crystal deformable slabs, membrane-in-the-middle cavities, micropillar resonators for radiation-pressure optomechanics; (3) Superconducting qubit–macroscopic membrane coupling — Jacqmin & Deléglise team: resonant coupling of transmon qubit to MHz membrane oscillator, tracking quantum motion with 300 repeated interactions (2025); high-impedance hyperinductors for electromechanics; (4) Gravitational wave detector contributions — VIRGO/LIGO data analysis and quantum noise modeling. Applications include back-action-evading force sensing and tests of quantum mechanics at macroscopic scales.
Pierre-François Cohadon leads the optomechanics and quantum measurements group at LKB (ENS site). Research: (1) mechanical quantum systems and back-action-evading measurement; (2) gravitational wave detector enhancement — white-light cavity proposals to extend GW sensitivity; (3) quantum optomechanical sensing of forces and fields. The group was key to the LKB optomechanics tradition and is affiliated with Virgo/LIGO enhancement proposals.
Cohen's lab develops genetically encoded fluorescent voltage indicators and all-optical electrophysiology ('Optopatch') to simultaneously stimulate and image membrane voltage in individual neurons and cardiomyocytes at the single-cell and network level, combining protein engineering, optics, and theory to push the temporal and spatial resolution of bioelectrical imaging well past conventional patch-clamp limits.
Experimental astroparticle physicist developing novel quantum-limited detectors for dark matter and neutrino sensing. Directions: (1) COHERENT experiment — first measurement of coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEvNS) and ongoing precision measurements; (2) bubble chamber and scintillating bolometer detectors for WIMP dark matter; (3) development of low-threshold detectors sensitive to sub-GeV dark matter; (4) nuclear recoil sensing at the few-eV threshold. Enrico Fermi Institute member.