Equipment: MRI Track 1: Acquisition of a Narrow Linewidth, Broadly Tunable Laser for the Investigation of Virtual Atoms in Condensed Matter Systems

Non-technical Abstract: Recent advances in laser technology have transformed the ability to probe and control matter at the smallest scales, enabling discoveries that underpin quantum technologies, advanced materials, and next generation sensing systems. The City College of New York seeks to acquire a broadly tunable, high precision laser system that produces stable light across the visible and infrared spectrum. This shared instrument provides researchers with an essential capability that is currently unavailable at the institution and rare within the regional research ecosystem. By enabling precise optical control of quantum defects, two-dimensional materials, and photonic structures, the project enhances shared research infrastructure and expands access to advanced experimental tools that support interdisciplinary collaboration and training. The instrument supports interdisciplinary collaboration in physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering, while enhancing workforce development in quantum science and nanotechnology through hands on training and integration with ongoing educational and outreach activities. Technical Abstract: The instrument integrates an optical parametric oscillator, a titanium sapphire tunable laser, and frequency stabilization wavemeters to deliver narrow linewidth, high power, single frequency light with nearly continuous tunability from the ultraviolet through the visible and into the infrared. This capability enables resonant optical spectroscopy and coherent control of quantum emitters, including color centers in diamond and silicon carbide, defect based emitters in hexagonal boron nitride, and excitonic systems in two-dimensional semiconductors. The system supports studies of Rydberg like electronic states, charge and energy transfer within nanoscale defect clusters, and molecule like donor acceptor complexes in low dimensional materials. It enables investigations of strong light matter interactions in topological photonic structures and hybrid exciton polariton platforms, as well as studies of carrier transport, dark exciton dynamics, and Bose Einstein condensation in emerging quantum materials. Fiber coupled integration with cryogenic and magneto optical platforms extends measurements to low temperature and high magnetic field environments. As a fully automated, shared user facility, the instrument serves a broad research community while enabling new experimental regimes in quantum photonics, nanoscale sensing, and condensed matter physics. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. NSF Award ID: 2408540 | Program: 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT | Principal Investigator: Carlos Meriles | Institution: CUNY City College, NEW YORK, NY | Award Amount: $650,000 View on NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/show-award/?AWD_ID=2408540 View on Research.gov: https://www.research.gov/awardapi-service/v1/awards/2408540.html