Project description
Scaling-up of quantum hardware for the full potential of quantum technology
Scalable photonic quantum networks have opened up new possibilities for communication, sensing and computation. These networks rely on high performance quantum light-matter building blocks, which have been developed and continuously enhanced. The EU-funded SCALE project is dedicated to studying and developing quantum photonic hardware for long-term transformative applications. The project will focus on constructing large-scale quantum networks that involve multiple light and matter quantum bits. The networks will be created using linear optical operations, photodetector-based measurements, and a photonic quantum memory for storage. By advancing quantum photonics, the project aims to establish it as a leading technology for scalable quantum information processing.
Objective
It is an outstanding challenge in quantum physics of today to scale small proof-of-concept experimental demonstrations into larger quantum networks. In the last decade, solid-state photonic systems have matured significantly, and an ambitious research project on such scaling seems viable. With the present proposal we intend to take up this challenge and exploit single quantum dots in photonic-crystal nanostructures as a deterministic photon-emitter interface for scalable quantum architectures.
The project objectives are threefold. We will explore: 1) Deterministic single-photon sources for quantum simulations, 2) A giant photon nonlinearity for quantum-information processing, 3) The deterministic interfacing of multiple quantum dots.
In 1) we will exploit our recently developed deterministic single-photon source to produce a spatially multiplexed array of single photons (prospectively of 10 photons or more). This source will be used for quantum simulations. Area 2) exploits a single quantum dot in a photonic-crystal waveguide as a giant nonlinearity. The quantum dot will be operated either as a passive nonlinear scatterer or actively controlled. The nonlinearity will enable constructing a deterministic CNOT gate for photons or a single-photon transistor. Finally, 3) concerns the coupling of two or more quantum dots by an extended dipole-dipole interaction that is mediated by the photonic-crystal waveguide. The fundamental limits for the size and complexity of such a quantum photonic network will be explored.
The present project focus on overcoming the fundamental obstacles that photonic quantum-information processing applications have been suffering from, i.e. probabilistic single-photon emission and weak nonlinearities. The successful accomplishment of the project could elevate quantum photonics to a frontrunner technology for scalable quantum-information processing.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesquantum physics
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesatomic physics
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcomputer hardwaresupercomputers
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsfibre optics
- natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsphotons
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantHost institution
1165 Kobenhavn
Denmark