Quantum Communications using integrated photonic devices

Quantum information processing offers a powerful alternative to conventional technologies. Quantum communications offer fundamentally secure encryption protocols and enable the distributed operation of quantum states for applications in computing, sensing and simulations. Integrated photonic devices are a robust technological platform for the realisation of complex linear optic circuits.
This PhD project aims to further the development and understanding of quantum communication technologies based on integrated photonic devices. There are two fundamental areas that will be targeted: first the exploitation of d-dimensional photonic quantum states for quantum communication applications and entanglement distribution, and second the implementation of Measurement-Device-Independent QKD protocols on-chip using locally-developed quantum nodes for multiple users. Additionally, the project will explore the use of multi-core optical fibres for signal stabilisation, as well as free-space multi-dimensional quantum state transmission using a quantum lantern approach, based on space multiplexing of single photon states.
The PhD project will be embedded in the existing EU project SQUARE for the development of quantum networks based on the distribution of high-dimensional quantum states, and the Quantum Communications HUB, a national multi-institutional initiative to develop quantum communications systems. These on-going research projects are hosted at Bristol in the QETLabs laboratories and are supported by multiple (4) postdoctoral researchers and students (4). The experimental facilities comprise 3 experimental automated and semi-automated photonic chip setups, as well as access to shared photonic equipment such as lasers, single photon detectors, power meters and fibre network. There are tens of copies of photonic chips used for quantum state generation and analysis, with new devices to be obtained through the existing grants in the coming years.