TeRrIFIC · Training in Quantum Photonics Design Fabrication and Characterisation

Training in Quantum Photonics Design Fabrication and Characterisation

Information security is one of the most pressing issues facing the world today. With the increase in activities such as e-commerce and online banking, the opportunities for fraud and theft have never been greater. As data is transmitted over the internet, it is at its most vulnerable, so secure methods of encryption are essential. Quantum Information Communication Technology (qICT) exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to provide the ultimate in secure data transmission- the copying of data encoded in a quantum state changes the state, betraying the eavesdropper. But for qICT and Quantum Cryptography to achieve mainstream deployment, practical, scalable sources of quantum states of light are required. To date, most demonstrations of quantum information processing or sensing have been based on bulky table-top light sources , or use attenuated lasers that intrinsically have a low generation rate or quantum dot light sources that need cryogenic cooling. Such approaches entail high production costs and poor operational performance. On-chip integration is key, as it offers reductions in cost and dense integration of components. In Terrific, the Fellow will develop an ultra-compact nanophotonic device based on Lithium Niobate on Insulator. Lithium Niobate is one of the most popular materials for Nonlinear optics, however, it is extremely difficult to process which has limited applications to the use of bulk crystals or large mode area, low refractive index contrast waveguides. Consequently, typical devices are 10s of millimetres long . Recent advances in fabrication technologies now allow the realisation of Lithium Niobate on Insulator (LNoI) material which facilitates the creation of compact integrated devices. In this project, LNoI materials will be combined with silicon and silicon nitride layers to form hybrid waveguides that take advantage of the strong nonlinear optical coefficients of Lithium Niobate and of the high refractive contrast and ease of processing of silicon and silicon nitride. TERRIFIC implemented novel Lithium Niobate on insulator devices to provide compact and effective photon pair production.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз