Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MiSS (Microwave Squeezing with Superconducting (meta)materials)
Período documentado: 2024-06-01 hasta 2025-11-30
The MiSS project targets transformative progress in the emerging field of distributed quantum sensing exploiting multi-mode microwave squeezing. The final goal is to realise a robust and scalable technology for microwave squeezing and generation of non-classical microwave radiation based on superconducting (meta)materials. The consortium brings together a unique set of expertise in design, materials, metrology, fabrication, cryogenic characterisation and commercialisation to be able to deliver on this promise.
The three specific objectives of the MiSS project are:
- Technological innovation, investigating new material and scalable microfabrication approaches to optimise the building blocks to produce Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers-based squeezers
- Metrology protocols, developing dedicated cryogenic measurement protocols to accurately evaluate the radiation quantumness, opening the way to standardisation;
- Realisation of prototypes for real-world applications, developing a system with scalability potential for distributed quantum sensing in the microwave regime.
A use-case dedicated to multi-parameter sensing for material characterisation will be targeted. The outcomes of this project will pave the way towards real exploitation of quantum-enhanced sensing techniques in the microwave regime.
The three specific objectives of the MiSS project are:
- Technological innovation, investigating new material and scalable microfabrication approaches to optimise the building blocks to produce Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers-based squeezers
- Metrology protocols, developing dedicated cryogenic measurement protocols to accurately evaluate the radiation quantumness, opening the way to standardisation;
- Realisation of prototypes for real-world applications, developing a system with scalability potential for distributed quantum sensing in the microwave regime.
A use-case dedicated to multi-parameter sensing for material characterisation will be targeted. The outcomes of this project will pave the way towards real exploitation of quantum-enhanced sensing techniques in the microwave regime.
The general approach of the project follows a development workflow that starts from fundamental investigations, to ultimately reach a final highly performing scalable technology, paving the way for realistically exploitable quantum sensing applications.
The first objective (Innovative technological approaches) will be implemented by means of investigation of new low-loss materials and new highly reproducible layouts, allowing an improved control on the device squeezing performance. At the same time, thanks to state-of-the-art TWPA devices that are immediately provided by the consortium and that will be used as benchmark devices, the research and development activities on innovative
measurements and operation protocols (second objective, Innovative metrology protocols) can start. As next step, on the basis of the obtained results, we will proceed with the fabrication of prototype devices, which will be operated and characterised at cryogenic temperature by means of the measurement protocols previously developed and validated. Finally, the outcome of these efforts will be combined to demonstrate an application (third objective, Distributed quantum sensing at microwave frequencies) - consisting of the developed TWPA devices with an optimised packaging, combined with a dedicated operational cryogenic set-up - which will be validated with the optimised measurement protocols.
The first objective (Innovative technological approaches) will be implemented by means of investigation of new low-loss materials and new highly reproducible layouts, allowing an improved control on the device squeezing performance. At the same time, thanks to state-of-the-art TWPA devices that are immediately provided by the consortium and that will be used as benchmark devices, the research and development activities on innovative
measurements and operation protocols (second objective, Innovative metrology protocols) can start. As next step, on the basis of the obtained results, we will proceed with the fabrication of prototype devices, which will be operated and characterised at cryogenic temperature by means of the measurement protocols previously developed and validated. Finally, the outcome of these efforts will be combined to demonstrate an application (third objective, Distributed quantum sensing at microwave frequencies) - consisting of the developed TWPA devices with an optimised packaging, combined with a dedicated operational cryogenic set-up - which will be validated with the optimised measurement protocols.
The results of the MiSS projects are expected to directly contribute to the progress of quantum sensing and metrology applications and to bring significant mid-term and long-term impacts towards European autonomy in future enabling quantum technologies. The generation of non-classical microwave radiation is strongly needed in the quantum sensing and metrology scenario, since it will enable breakthrough technologies and it will revolutionise a wide range of fields, from quantum information processing to metrology, from navigation to quantum-enhanced imaging. Thus, the impact of the MiSS project is wide-spread across many scientific and technological dimensions, for instance:
- Advancing the field of quantum computing: The development of a reliable and efficient source of non-classical microwave radiation will enable the implementation of continuous-variable quantum computing (CVQC) protocols, which use non-classical states of light to perform quantum computations. CVQC has the potential to perform certain calculations more efficiently than classical computers, leading to breakthroughs in fields such as cryptography, optimisation and machine learning.
- Enabling new forms of quantum sensing: The use of non-classical states of microwave radiation will enhance the sensitivity of various sensing techniques, such as imaging and ranging (quantum radar), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This will lead to the detection and characterisation of materials and biological samples at the molecular level, enabling breakthroughs in fields such as drug discovery, materials science and medical diagnostics.
- Enabling new quantum sensing approaches for material science and microelectronics: The use-case targeted in the MiSS project will demonstrate the crucial advantages of distributed quantum sensing to probe the properties of superconducting material. The same approach can be extended and adapted to a larger range of applications in material science.
- Revolutionising the field of quantum communication: The use of non-classical states of microwave radiation will potentially enhance the security and efficiency of quantum communication protocols, such as quantum key distribution (QKD). QKD enables secure communication between two parties by using the laws of quantum mechanics to ensure that any eavesdropping attempts are detected. The use of non-classical microwave radiation can enhance the performance of QKD, leading to more secure and efficient communication networks.
- Contributing to the development of novel quantum devices: The development of a microwave source of non-classical radiation will pontentially lead to the development of novel quantum devices, such as quantum sensors and detectors. These devices can have a wide range of applications, from quantum-enhanced microscopy to quantum-enhanced magnetometry.
The high scalability and compatibility with in-line production targeted by the MiSS project will pave the way for industrial exploitation of the developed prototypes and, more in general, of the technologies and processes that will be established during the project. The MiSS project has a great potential to create value for society by developing technologies which will enhance, for example, medical diagnostics, communication and environmental monitoring. Quantum technologies will ultimately help to address global challenges such as sustainability, climate change and the global convergence of communication technologies.
- Advancing the field of quantum computing: The development of a reliable and efficient source of non-classical microwave radiation will enable the implementation of continuous-variable quantum computing (CVQC) protocols, which use non-classical states of light to perform quantum computations. CVQC has the potential to perform certain calculations more efficiently than classical computers, leading to breakthroughs in fields such as cryptography, optimisation and machine learning.
- Enabling new forms of quantum sensing: The use of non-classical states of microwave radiation will enhance the sensitivity of various sensing techniques, such as imaging and ranging (quantum radar), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This will lead to the detection and characterisation of materials and biological samples at the molecular level, enabling breakthroughs in fields such as drug discovery, materials science and medical diagnostics.
- Enabling new quantum sensing approaches for material science and microelectronics: The use-case targeted in the MiSS project will demonstrate the crucial advantages of distributed quantum sensing to probe the properties of superconducting material. The same approach can be extended and adapted to a larger range of applications in material science.
- Revolutionising the field of quantum communication: The use of non-classical states of microwave radiation will potentially enhance the security and efficiency of quantum communication protocols, such as quantum key distribution (QKD). QKD enables secure communication between two parties by using the laws of quantum mechanics to ensure that any eavesdropping attempts are detected. The use of non-classical microwave radiation can enhance the performance of QKD, leading to more secure and efficient communication networks.
- Contributing to the development of novel quantum devices: The development of a microwave source of non-classical radiation will pontentially lead to the development of novel quantum devices, such as quantum sensors and detectors. These devices can have a wide range of applications, from quantum-enhanced microscopy to quantum-enhanced magnetometry.
The high scalability and compatibility with in-line production targeted by the MiSS project will pave the way for industrial exploitation of the developed prototypes and, more in general, of the technologies and processes that will be established during the project. The MiSS project has a great potential to create value for society by developing technologies which will enhance, for example, medical diagnostics, communication and environmental monitoring. Quantum technologies will ultimately help to address global challenges such as sustainability, climate change and the global convergence of communication technologies.