Objective
Detecting microwave signals with ultimate sensitivity is critical to dark matter research, atomic-scale magnetic resonance, and quantum computing. The most sensitive microwave detectors available today — superconducting Josephson amplifiers — are fundamentally limited by the standard quantum limit (SQL). Within my ERC Starting Grant INGENIOUS, I developed the Single Microwave Photon Detector (SMPD), a superconducting quantum device that counts individual microwave photons and surpasses the SQL by orders of magnitude. I demonstrated its transformative impact in two landmark experiments: the first microwave detection of individual electron spins (Nature 2023) and a 20-fold acceleration of axion dark matter searches (PRX 2025).
The goal of SUPERQuSENSE is to validate the broader commercial potential of SMPD technology and formalize it into a market-ready product. A founding team of three PhDs whom I supervised is preparing the launch of the spinout company Qudigy in fall 2026. Five SMPD systems are committed for beta-testing at international laboratories and industry partners across three continents. This PoC project will fund the critical activities needed to transition from a physics-community spinout to a scalable deep-tech enterprise: a professional market analysis of mid-term application domains beyond the initial physics niche, a freedom-to-operate study, development of product-grade control software and custom electronics, and structured feedback collection from beta-testers to define the product roadmap.
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 computer and information sciences software
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware quantum computers
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics superconductivity
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
- natural sciences computer and information sciences databases relational databases
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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-2026-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.
75015 Paris
France
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.