Project

Scalable single-photon generator for quantum key distribution applications

Code
1S69123N
Duration
01 November 2022 → 31 October 2024
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Lasers and quantum electronics
    • Nonlineair optics and spectroscopy
    • Photonics, optoelectronics and optical communications
    • Quantum information, computation and communication
    • Quantum optics
Keywords
single-photon generation quantum optics heterogeneous integration
 
Project description

Quantum technologies are on the rise, with disrupting innovations expected for various applications. Photons are deemed ideal mobile quantum information carriers in a quantum communication network. Moreover, huge investments are put into single-photon based integrated photonics because of the scalable, CMOS compatible platform for quantum information processing. In stark contrast with competing approaches, photons are insensitive to thermal noise rendering them more convenient to isolate. Down at the quantum regime, ultra-low photon losses, as facilitated in SiN waveguide circuits, are vital but still require the heterogeneous integration of single photon sources. In collaboration with the Hy-Q group in Copenhagen, we investigate a heterogeneous platform of InP quantum dots embedded in a GaAs waveguide on top of a SiN platform. Leveraging our expertise in microtransfer printing, we realize such a system with minimal back-end processing while still allowing for massive parallelization. First, we will realize a general-purpose single-photon generator ready to be applied in various ongoing efforts towards quantum computing, quantum machine learning and quantum sensing. Secondly, we will fabricate a device-independent quantum key distribution circuit. With arising technologies considered as huge threads to existing communication security, this is the only encryption protocol able to close all security loopholes thanks to the inherent quantum nature of single-photon light.