A PAckageD source of Multiplexed Entangled photons (PADME)
Lead Participant:
BAY PHOTONICS LTD
Abstract
**Quantum technologies (QT)** are transforming our economy and education. Slowly but steadily delivering novel capabilities to secure communications, measure undetectable signals, and in a not-so-far future, revolutionise computing.
Light plays a pivotal role as a carrier for quantum signals and as the interface between the new quantum hardware and the available technology. For example, entangled photons -- light particles strongly connected even when far apart -- can be routed over the available fibre network and are required in several quantum cryptographic schemes and all-optical quantum computers. For light to fulfil its mission as quantum herald, we need to embed it in a compact, scalable, and mass-producible platform.
With PADME, we propose investigating **Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs)** as a source of quantum states of light, following the steps that brought electronics to today's consumer market a few decades ago.
We will study how to generate and extract entangled photons from a PIC component of our own design and fabricated by a commercial foundry. We will combine our in-house photonics and optoelectronics packaging know-how (Bay Photonics), years of academic research excellence (Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow), and the most recent advances of commercial PIC foundries to deliver a high-performance, compact, and reliable source of entangled photon pairs that will service a global market and bolster the UK's position as a world-leader in quantum and photonic innovation.
We expect this feasibility study to stimulate further R&D and market awareness into adopting the PIC approach for quantum technologies and developing a national quantum PIC supply chain.
Light plays a pivotal role as a carrier for quantum signals and as the interface between the new quantum hardware and the available technology. For example, entangled photons -- light particles strongly connected even when far apart -- can be routed over the available fibre network and are required in several quantum cryptographic schemes and all-optical quantum computers. For light to fulfil its mission as quantum herald, we need to embed it in a compact, scalable, and mass-producible platform.
With PADME, we propose investigating **Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs)** as a source of quantum states of light, following the steps that brought electronics to today's consumer market a few decades ago.
We will study how to generate and extract entangled photons from a PIC component of our own design and fabricated by a commercial foundry. We will combine our in-house photonics and optoelectronics packaging know-how (Bay Photonics), years of academic research excellence (Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow), and the most recent advances of commercial PIC foundries to deliver a high-performance, compact, and reliable source of entangled photon pairs that will service a global market and bolster the UK's position as a world-leader in quantum and photonic innovation.
We expect this feasibility study to stimulate further R&D and market awareness into adopting the PIC approach for quantum technologies and developing a national quantum PIC supply chain.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
BAY PHOTONICS LTD | £247,077 | £ 172,954 |
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Participant |
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UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW | ||
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW | £18,879 | £ 18,879 |
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE | £192,239 | £ 192,239 |
People |
ORCID iD |
Mike Cox (Project Manager) |