Objective Is there any limit to the size of a quantum system? How large and how small can it be? Both questions are related to scalability, a most critical issue in quantum technologies. A scalable quantum network, which can be extended almost infinitely, is built by entangling individual quantum systems, e.g. atoms. It will provide thrilling opportunities across a range of intellectual and technical frontiers in quantum information science. Building such a network is however a great challenge, in both physics and engineering.Often referred to as artificial atoms, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are among the most promising single and entangled photon sources to build a photonic quantum network. However there is a longstanding and yet unsolved challenge on scalability, since, unlike real atoms, every QD is different. By engineering individual QDs with an innovative nano-optomechanical system (NOMS), elementary QD networks will be built via scalable interactions of single or entangled photons, in a fashion similar to that of real atoms. The scientific goals are to upscale QD networks with the first demonstrations of (1) indistinguishable entangled photons from different QDs, (2) deterministic entanglement swapping, purification and graph states with multiple QDs (3) deterministic Boson sampling with more than 4 QDs on chip. The technological goals are (1) to downscale the footprint (<50 µm) of individual QD sources with full tunabilities, and to realize (2) arrays (>4×4) of tunable single and entangled photon sources, (3) waveguide integration on III-V/silicon chips, and (4) compact quantum LED demonstrators. QD-NOMS will address the physical and technological challenges in building a solid-state QD-based quantum network. Its success does not only provide a novel toolkit to realize scalable QD systems for cutting-edge fundamental researches but also brings the semiconductor QD based platforms, after a decade of development, to the attention of practical applications. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivitynatural sciencesphysical sciencesquantum physicsquantum opticsnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloidsnatural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsphotons Keywords semiconductor quantum dot quantum photonics single photon entangled photons entanglement quantum light-emitting-diode Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2016-STG - ERC Starting Grant Call for proposal ERC-2016-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Host institution GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITAET HANNOVER Net EU contribution € 1 397 853,00 Address WELFENGARTEN 1 30167 Hannover Germany See on map Region Niedersachsen Hannover Region Hannover Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 397 853,00 Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITAET HANNOVER Germany Net EU contribution € 1 397 853,00 Address WELFENGARTEN 1 30167 Hannover See on map Region Niedersachsen Hannover Region Hannover Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 397 853,00 LEIBNIZ INSTITUT FUR FESTKORPER UND WERKSTOFFORSCHUNG DRESDEN EV Germany Net EU contribution € 376 840,00 Address HELMHOLTZSTRASSE 20 01069 Dresden See on map Region Sachsen Dresden Dresden, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 376 840,00