In he project we have mainly worked along three lines:
1) implementing two different setups based on nonlinear optical processes for producing multimode fields that can be arranged as complex quantum networks;
2) developing the theory of complex quantum systems within our specific framework, where quantum effects are encoded in the continuous variables (amplitude and phase) of the electromagnetic field;
3) devising quantum information protocols.
On the first line: we implemented two experimental setups, operating at near-infrared and telecom wavelengths, for the production of quantum states of light multiplexed both in time and frequency. The telecom-wavelength setup showed larger squeezing per mode (the quantum resource exploited in our protocols).
On the second line: we studied the complexity of large multimode quantum states, affected by non-Gaussian operations, using standard complex-network measures. We developed general theoretical tools for describing and engineering such operations, and we developed and applied experimental techniques to characterize their quantum features—such as Wigner negativity and entanglement—using machine-learning methods.
On the third line: we investigated the reconfigurability of quantum complex networks based on multimode optical resources and studied suitable quantum routing protocols for quantum communication tasks. We implemented an experimental protocol for the simulation of quantum environments. We also devised a specific quantum machine-learning protocol (quantum reservoir computing) that can be implemented using our experimental resources. We first implemented an optical protocol, then devised a quantum and measurement-based version, and finally demonstrated an experimental quantum protocol whose performance compares favorably with state-of-the-art classical techniques.
Some results have been used for a patent application. The rest of the result have been published in peer-review journals including APS journals (Physical Review A, Physical Review Research, Physical Review Letters and PRX Quantum) , Springer Nature journals ( EPJ Quantum technologies, Communication Physics, 1 just accepted in Nature Photonics); IOP journals ( Journal of Physics: complexity, New Journal of Physics, Quantum Science and Technology), Optica group ( Optics Express, Optics Letters), AIP Publishing (APL Photonics). Some results are currently under review. All the articles have also been published in an open-access electronic preprint repository (Arxiv).
The results have been disseminated in the main conferences of the field ( like CLEO US, CLEO europe, APS March Meeting, Quantum 2.0 CEWQO, ) and more dedicated workshop ( like CCS2022 Conference in Complex Systems, Bristol Quantum Information Technologies, Quantum Information in Spain ICE-7, International Workshop on Quantum Network Science, Workshop Quantum Machine Learning,..), PhD summer schools and colloquia for master students.
Outreach for general public have been delivered in quantum science fairs or events in Europe along with specific collaboration with artistic residence (French-Italian event La Science de L'art)
