Photonic Quantum Technologies

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bristol
Department Name: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Abstract

Quantum mechanics tells us how the world works at its most fundamental level. It predicts very strange behaviour that can typically only be observed when things are very cold and very small. It has an inbuilt element of chance, allows superpositions of two different states, and admits super-strong correlations between objects that would be nonsensical in our everyday world / entanglement . Despite this strange behaviour, quantum mechanics is the most successful theory that we have ever had / it predicts what will happen almost perfectly!Although the theory of quantum mechanics was invited at the beginning of the last century, quantum information science has only emerged in the last decades to consider what additional power and functionality can be realised by specifically harnessing quantum mechanical effects in the encoding, transmission and processing of information. Anticipated future technologies include quantum computers with tremendous computational power, quantum metrology which promises the most precise measurements possible, and quantum cryptography which is already being used in commercial communication systems, and offers perfect security.Single particles of light / photons / are excellent quantum bits or qubits, because they suffer from almost no noise. They also have great potential for application in future quantum technologies: schemes for all optical quantum computers are a leading contender, and photons are the obvious choice for both quantum communication and for quantum metrology schemes for measuring optical path lengths. There have already been a number of impressive proof-of-principle demonstrations of photonic information science.However, photonic quantum technologies have reached a roadblock: they are stuck in the research laboratory. All of the demonstrations to date have relied on imperfect, unscalable and bulky elements with single photons travelling in air. This is not suitable for future technologies. In addition there has been no integration of these critical components which will be essential for the realisation of scalable and practical technologies. This project aims to address these problems by developing single photon sources based on diamond nanocrystals, optical wires on optical chips, and superconducting single photon detectors, to the high performance levels required. It also aims to integrate all of these components on a single optical chip, and thus bring photonic quantum technologies out of the laboratory towards the marketplace.

Organisations

Publications

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Politi A (2009) Integrated Quantum Photonics in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics

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Politi A (2009) Shor's quantum factoring algorithm on a photonic chip. in Science (New York, N.Y.)

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Politi A (2011) Integrated photonics for quantum information science in Optics InfoBase Conference Papers

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Politi A (2011) Integrated optics components for quantum information in Optics InfoBase Conference Papers

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Politi A (2009) Integrated quantum information science with photons in Optics InfoBase Conference Papers

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Stephens A (2008) Deterministic optical quantum computer using photonic modules in Physical Review A

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Takeuchi S (2011) Optical quantum circuit combining tailored optical nonlinearities in Optics InfoBase Conference Papers

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Thompson M (2011) Integrated waveguide circuits for optical quantum computing in IET Circuits, Devices & Systems

 
Description This project has led to further investment in the development of integrated quantum photonics. A significant step forward in the development of quantum technologies. The impact of these technologies will be far reaching but there is further work to be done to realise this vision and to generate maximum impact.
Sector Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)
 
Description EPSRC Challenging Engineering
Amount £1,304,946 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/K021931/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2013 
End 04/2018
 
Description EPSRC Established Career Fellowship
Amount £1,185,033 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/J017175/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2012 
End 09/2017
 
Description EPSRC Standard Grant
Amount £522,323 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/I035935/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 06/2012 
End 06/2016
 
Description Research Chair in Emerging Technologies
Amount £1,230,000 (GBP)
Organisation Royal Academy of Engineering 
Sector Charity/Non Profit
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2013 
End 01/2023
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation Finisar
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation Monitoring Division
Country United States 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation National Computational Infrastructure
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation National ICT Australia NICTA
Country Australia 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Country Japan 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation Sapphicon Semiconductor
Country Australia 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation Technical University of Denmark
Country Denmark 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation University College Oxford
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation University of Ghent
Country Belgium 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation University of Southampton
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation University of St Andrews
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description ARC Centre of Excellence for Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems 
Organisation University of Toronto
Country Canada 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Development of Ultra-high bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems.
Collaborator Contribution CUDOS brings together a powerful team of Australian and International researchers in optical science and photonics technology, our efforts will lead to significant advancement in the capabilities and knowledge in this crucial field.
Impact Numerous papers & Public Engagement activities based on the research undertaken
Start Year 2010
 
Description DIAMANT 
Organisation De Beers Group
Department Element Six
Country Luxembourg 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution The discovery and development of diamond as a uniquely promising material system for solid-state molecular technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Development of Molecular sensors operating under ambient conditions promise to revolutionize the field of biological imaging and precision sensing.
Impact Numerous publications based on results of Diamant with further research being performed on this area after its completion.
Start Year 2011
 
Description DIAMANT 
Organisation Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
Country Netherlands 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The discovery and development of diamond as a uniquely promising material system for solid-state molecular technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Development of Molecular sensors operating under ambient conditions promise to revolutionize the field of biological imaging and precision sensing.
Impact Numerous publications based on results of Diamant with further research being performed on this area after its completion.
Start Year 2011
 
Description DIAMANT 
Organisation Harvard University
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The discovery and development of diamond as a uniquely promising material system for solid-state molecular technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Development of Molecular sensors operating under ambient conditions promise to revolutionize the field of biological imaging and precision sensing.
Impact Numerous publications based on results of Diamant with further research being performed on this area after its completion.
Start Year 2011
 
Description DIAMANT 
Organisation Interuniversity Micro-Electronics Centre
Country Belgium 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The discovery and development of diamond as a uniquely promising material system for solid-state molecular technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Development of Molecular sensors operating under ambient conditions promise to revolutionize the field of biological imaging and precision sensing.
Impact Numerous publications based on results of Diamant with further research being performed on this area after its completion.
Start Year 2011
 
Description DIAMANT 
Organisation Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The discovery and development of diamond as a uniquely promising material system for solid-state molecular technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Development of Molecular sensors operating under ambient conditions promise to revolutionize the field of biological imaging and precision sensing.
Impact Numerous publications based on results of Diamant with further research being performed on this area after its completion.
Start Year 2011
 
Description DIAMANT 
Organisation University of California, Santa Barbara
Country United States 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The discovery and development of diamond as a uniquely promising material system for solid-state molecular technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Development of Molecular sensors operating under ambient conditions promise to revolutionize the field of biological imaging and precision sensing.
Impact Numerous publications based on results of Diamant with further research being performed on this area after its completion.
Start Year 2011
 
Description DIAMANT 
Organisation University of Stuttgart
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The discovery and development of diamond as a uniquely promising material system for solid-state molecular technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Development of Molecular sensors operating under ambient conditions promise to revolutionize the field of biological imaging and precision sensing.
Impact Numerous publications based on results of Diamant with further research being performed on this area after its completion.
Start Year 2011
 
Description DIAMANT 
Organisation University of Ulm
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The discovery and development of diamond as a uniquely promising material system for solid-state molecular technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Development of Molecular sensors operating under ambient conditions promise to revolutionize the field of biological imaging and precision sensing.
Impact Numerous publications based on results of Diamant with further research being performed on this area after its completion.
Start Year 2011
 
Description DIAMANT 
Organisation University of Vienna
Country Austria 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The discovery and development of diamond as a uniquely promising material system for solid-state molecular technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Development of Molecular sensors operating under ambient conditions promise to revolutionize the field of biological imaging and precision sensing.
Impact Numerous publications based on results of Diamant with further research being performed on this area after its completion.
Start Year 2011
 
Description Future Digital Systems - Quantum Information Technologies Roadmap 
Organisation Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution The set up and hosting of a Workshop for 90 delegates to discuss the roadmap of future quantum information technolgies.
Collaborator Contribution The support, advise and financial support for hosting the workshop.
Impact A clear overview of how to develop Quantum Technologies over the next few years.
Start Year 2013
 
Description Photonic Quantum Characterisation, Verification and Validation 
Organisation Imperial College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project Lead on developing Photonic Quantum Characterisation
Collaborator Contribution Working with me as partners and contributing their own research in this area.
Impact Partnership is fairly recent but we have publications due for release.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Photonic Quantum Characterisation, Verification and Validation 
Organisation US Army
Department US Army International Research Office
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Project Lead on developing Photonic Quantum Characterisation
Collaborator Contribution Working with me as partners and contributing their own research in this area.
Impact Partnership is fairly recent but we have publications due for release.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Photonic Quantum Characterisation, Verification and Validation 
Organisation University of Sydney
Country Australia 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project Lead on developing Photonic Quantum Characterisation
Collaborator Contribution Working with me as partners and contributing their own research in this area.
Impact Partnership is fairly recent but we have publications due for release.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Photonic Quantum Characterisation, Verification and Validation 
Organisation University of Ulm
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Project Lead on developing Photonic Quantum Characterisation
Collaborator Contribution Working with me as partners and contributing their own research in this area.
Impact Partnership is fairly recent but we have publications due for release.
Start Year 2014
 
Description Photonic Quantum Technologies 
Organisation Hewlett Packard Ltd
Department Hewlett Packard Laboratories, Bristol
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Development of Photonic Quantum Technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Access to their Material and Data for purposes of our research
Impact Engineered groundbreaking quantum technologies based on diamond single photons sources, silica. Work found within numerous publications.
Start Year 2007
 
Description Photonic Quantum Technologies 
Organisation Qinetiq
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Development of Photonic Quantum Technologies.
Collaborator Contribution Access to their Material and Data for purposes of our research
Impact Engineered groundbreaking quantum technologies based on diamond single photons sources, silica. Work found within numerous publications.
Start Year 2007
 
Title OPTICAL SOURCE 
Description An integrated optical device and method for generating photons by manipulating path entanglement is provided. An integrated optical splitter splits pump light between two interferometer arms wherein each arm comprises a substantially identical photon pair source configured to be able to convert at least one pump light photon into a signal and idler photon pair. An integrated optical combiner device in optical communication with a first and a second optical output path interferes light from the first and second arms and outputs the signal and idler photons by bunching the signal and idler photons together in one of the optical output paths, or anti-bunching the signal photon in one output path and the corresponding idler photon in the other optical output path. 
IP Reference US2015261058 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2015
Licensed Commercial In Confidence
Impact None to date.
 
Title Quantum Key Distribution 
Description An apparatus including: an input optical interface configured to receive a series of optical input signals each including photons; an encoder configured to encode a quantum key for distribution by encoding each of the series of received optical input signals with a measurable state; an attenuator configured to attenuate each of the encoded optical input signals to create a series of quantum optical signals; and an output optical interface configured to send the series of quantum optical signals to the remote apparatus via a quantum communication channel. 
IP Reference US2012195430 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2012
Licensed Commercial In Confidence
Impact Developing relationships with industrial partners.
 
Description Article in Financial Times 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact A front page article in the Financial Times was published regarding the use of the integrated approach to realise a quantum walk of two correlated photons in a 21 waveguide array.

Article published on the use of the integrated approach to realise a quantum walk of two correlated photons in a 21 waveguide array.

- Increased awareness of physics and its impact to society by the general public.
- An increase in the awareness of the Centre for Quantum Photonics
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2012
URL http://www.bristol.ac.uk/physics/news/2012/92.html
 
Description British Science Association Media Fellowship 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I used the skills I learnt on his Media Fellowship at the Irish Times to get the difficult subject of quantum photonics onto the front
pages of the national newspapers. I obtained skills in how to translate research into news and pitch science stories to editors.

Talks generated a lot of interest from the public and I formed a number of working relationships with science journalists as a result of this fellowship. The stories I wrote brought physics to millions of people, making the front page of the Financial Times in 2009. This was also covered in the Daily Mail, Telegraph, Nature as well as in the US and Australia.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2009
URL http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/science-society/impacts
 
Description World Economic Forum (Davos, Switzerland) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters remains the foremost creative force for engaging the world's top leaders in collaborative activities focused on shaping the global, regional and industry agendas.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016,2017,2018
URL http://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2018