Project description
Efficient quantum-to-optical signal conversion key to practical quantum computing
Quantum computing relies on seamless connections to process vast amounts of information, yet traditional fibre-to-chip couplers (which transfer light between the fibre and the chip) lose a great part of the signal. The ERC-funded LEO project will introduce a patented low-loss fibre-to-chip coupler with an unprecedented loss of just 0.015 dB – ten times better than current solutions. Low-loss coupling is crucial for five major quantum technologies, namely superconducting, optical, neutral atom, ionic and colour centre qubits. Project activities have implications for large-scale quantum systems with millions of interconnected qubits, overcoming a key bottleneck in quantum information processing.
Objective
This ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) project aims to demonstrate a low-loss fibre-to-chip coupler, a critical component for the PI’s ERC project QAMP (101042414). While QAMP focuses on achieving unity electro-optical transduction to convert superconducting qubits to optical qubits, the realized product requires an efficient fibre-to-chip coupler to extract the optical qubits. Our patented innovation introduces a fibre-to-chip coupler with unprecedented low losses of 0.015 dB (0.35%), which is an order-of-magnitude lower than current state-of-the-art solutions. Achieving such low-loss coupling is vital for five out of the six major quantum computer contenders (superconducting, optical, neutral atom, ionic and colour centre qubits). This development is particularly crucial for the field of optical quantum computing, valued at over a billion dollars, which depends on efficient fibre-to-chip couplers to realize their basic computational functionality. The successful implementation of this technology would enable the other qubit contenders to entangle and connect individual quantum processing units via a fibre network, thus addressing the current bottleneck in quantum information processing that requires millions of qubits working in unison.
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.
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
- engineering and technology materials engineering colors
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware quantum computers
- natural sciences physical sciences optics fibre optics
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics superconductivity
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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.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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-POC
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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.
3001 Leuven
Belgium
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.