Towards deterministic atomic scale manufacturing of next-generation quantum devices

The new round of quantum technology (QT) revolution has started worldwide. In the global race to unlock the potential of QTs and bring transformative advances to science, industry, and society, Europe must build a solid manufacturing base to meet the increasing manufacturing demands for next-generation quantum devices. Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are core elements of photonic integrated circuits to control photonic quantum states for QT applications. Due to high process variability, the current manufacturing technology fails to meet the extreme demands of SNSPDs for uniform material properties of superconducting materials. This project aims at researching and developing a new mechanical approach to enable the deterministic, atomic-scale manufacturing of superconducting nanowires (NWs). This new work will upgrade the EU's manufacturing capabilities of photonic integrated circuits, enabling Europe to lead the new round of the global QT revolution.

The fellow is currently an emerging leader at the forefront of international advances in the research and development of Atomic and Close-to-atomic Scale technology. With support from internationally leading expertise (i.e. Focused ion beam(FIB) nanomanufacturing, Precision Manufacturing, and Quantum Technology) in the hosting institution, a timely award of this prestigious fellowship will provide the fellow with the necessary resources and access to expertise to make rapid progress in this emerging research area and become an internationally leading independent researcher in Europe ready to compete globally. An industrial partner will be granted a license by the University of Strathclyde to take the new technology to market within three years of the research programme's completion, addressing a market with an estimated value of over 300 million Euros.