Fibre wavelength quantum light sources

The quantum theory elaborated in the 20th century revolutionised the way we describe the world at the atomic scale. It told us that light is made up of particles (or “quanta”) called photons. Recently it has been realised that encoding information on individual photons could revolutionise current IT systems by creating properties that are otherwise impossible. For example it can allow fundamentally secure communication networks, imaging and ranging systems with resolution beyond that possible with ordinary light and ultra-powerful quantum computers. The key component for all these applications is a generator of individual photons. This project is developing sources of individual photons, as well as pairs of photons with ‘entangled’ properties. The photon source is based on a semiconductor device, similar to that found in LED lighting, traffic lights or TV remotes. As these sources can be manufactured cheaply in large numbers, it will allow us to take these exciting new quantum technologies out of the lab and into everyday life.