Objective
Quantum optics is an exciting and rapidly growing research field with a huge potential in different applications such as quantum communications, computing, sensing, and imaging. One of the most crucial components of any quantum optical device is a source of non-classical light, called a quantum light source. Currently, these sources are almost exclusively based on solid-state inorganic materials, which limits their properties, such as lack of complex geometries and limited tunability.
In the past, I have pioneered the use of liquid crystals and biomaterials to make various photonic devices. Notably, I made a laser inside a live human cell. Since then, this pioneering work has been employed in a large number of applications, including tunable light sources, biological sensing, cell barcoding, and imaging. Soft photonic devices have unparalleled properties compared to their solid-state counterparts, such as extremely large tunability, self-assembly of complex structures that are impossible to make by lithography, biocompatibility and even self-healing.
Similarly as with microlasers, I propose to make quantum light sources from soft and biological matter. The unique properties of soft materials have the potential to give an unprecedented twist to the field of quantum optics but have been unexplored until now. I propose to develop sources of photon pairs out of liquid crystals. By selecting the appropriate liquid crystal structure, these sources will generate almost arbitrary polarization quantum states of the photon pairs, including entangled photons. Moreover, the quantum states will also be tunable by an electric field. Further, I propose to use single-photon sources in biological materials for novel applications such as cell barcoding and to make a purely biological single-photon source.
The novel quantum light sources developed in the SoftQuanta project could have a significant impact on quantum sensing, imaging, communications, and maybe even quantum computing.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics geometry
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.