Project description
Breaking the scalability barrier in quantum computing
Trapped-ion quantum processors offer superior qubit coherence, but are limited by the scalability constraints of bulky, external optical systems. While integrated photonics provides a potential solution for routing, the monolithic integration of high-coherence laser sources remains a significant hurdle due to the rigorous ~1 Hz linewidth requirement for qubit addressing. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PhoEnIQ project will propose a fully integrated hardware architecture using foundry-based, high-Q microphotonic resonators as the primary frequency source. By employing monolithic piezoelectric control, the system achieves the necessary frequency stability and enables high-speed, phase-coherent operations within multi-zone Ca + traps. This approach eliminates traditional bulk optics, providing a scalable, chip-scale platform for high-fidelity ion control and advanced quantum computation.
Objective
"Quantum computing promises to solve classes of problems that are intractable for classical computers, including the simulation of complex molecules, large-scale optimization, and secure communication. Trapped-ion quantum processors stand out for their excellent qubit coherence and high-fidelity gates. Yet their scalability remains hindered by the reliance on complicated bulk optics and externally delivered laser systems, which are expensive and difficult to maintain. Integrated photonics offers a pathway beyond these limitations by providing scalable optical couplers and routing circuits with improved system stability. So far, however, its role has been restricted mainly to passive optics, while integrating high-coherence laser sources and active optical modulators has proven far more challenging. This difficulty arises from the extreme performance requirements: the qubit addressing laser must achieve linewidths on the order of ~1 Hz, a demanding target for any integrated source. These constraints have prevented integrated photonics from fully replacing the bulky optical systems currently used in ion-trap quantum processors.
This project proposes to merge the strengths of both fields by using on-chip microphotonic frequency sources, as the ""engine"" for trapped ion qubits. The laser source is based-on foundry-based, high-Q integrated microresonators to improve its coherence. Monolithic piezoelectric control stabilizes the integrated laser to external highly-stable references to meet the requirements of qubit addressing. The piezoelectric control simultaneously drives high-speed, phase-coherent operations in multi-zone trapped-ion systems. Specifically, the proposal aims to harness these capabilities to realize high-speed, coherent qubit operations in an integrated multi-zone Ca+ trap. The proposed method eliminates critical bulk optics components from the control path for scalable ion control using fully integrated photonic hardware."
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 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware quantum computers
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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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)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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.
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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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
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