Projet ANR-15-CE24-0005 – SITQOM : Photonique sur silicium pour l’optique et la communication quantiques
Programme : Micro et nanotechnologies pour l’information et la communication (DS0710) 2015
Année de financement : 2015
Coordinateur du projet : Monsieur Sébastien Tanzilli (Laboratoire de Physique de la Matière Condensée)
Partenaires : Laboratoire public; Laboratoire public; Laboratoire public
Montant : 591486.0 euros
Date de début : 2015
Durée : 42 mois
Résumé : Quantum information science has established a new benchmark in communication and processing of information, thanks to protocols allowing augmented security in data exchange and increased processing capabilities. Despite numerous proofs-of-principle, next generation applications are currently envisioned, such as quantum simulators, real-world cryptosystems, and efficient sensors. In this perspective, where device scalability and reliability appear to be mandatory, integrated optical circuits showing high density of functionality and configurable features are destined to play a major role. Integrated quantum photonics has already proven its suitability for high-performance photon-pair source realizations and basic quantum state simulation. In this framework, SITQOM is geared towards fully developing a novel, silicon based, integrated quantum photonics platform showing gradually augmented and beyond state-of-the-art capabilities. Our ambition lies in the dense integration of both linear and non-linear optical functionalities enabling, on single substrates, the generation, the routing, the advanced manipulation, as well as the detection, of photonic quantum states. The addressed challenges are multiple and have not been tackled so far on chip: i) achievement of standard and heralded two- photon entanglement demonstrators, ii) simulation of quantum operators based on arrays of coupled waveguides, and iii) development of high bit-rate quantum cryptography protocols based on multi-frequency coding.
Silicon photonics stands as a one of the most promising platform for exploiting dense functionality integration. Notably, integrated ring cavities already enable producing entangled photons thanks to enhanced third-order nonlinear processes. In the short term perspective, such cavities, as well as Bragg reflectors, will be employed for demonstrating stand-alone photon-pair generators, i.e., featuring on-chip filtering stages, such as wavelength splitters and pump laser rejecters. In the mid term perspective, electro-optical switches and single photon detectors will be addressed towards achieving heralded two-photon states based on active photon routing. Thanks to incomparable fabrication reproducibility, silicon photonics makes it possible to design and realize arrays of coupled waveguides. Thanks to pre-engineered or configurable mutual coupling constants, such circuits will permit routing single photons in a “quantum bus” fashion. They also stand as compact, flexible, and multiport tools for quantum propagation control and quantum manipulation of light in a scalable and integrated manner. Induced photonic lattices are suitable hosts for implementing quantum processes, such as quantum logic gates and optical simulator analogues of the quantum properties of condensed matter systems. Furthermore, by merging, on a single chip, a high-brightness photon pair sources and dedicated filtering and routing stages, we aim at developing novel large-scale quantum cryptosystems. By pumping an integrated ring cavity using a frequency-comb high repetition rate laser, multi-frequency bin coded photon-pairs will be exploited in standard telecommunication channels towards achieving unprecedented secret key rates over long distances.
The SITQOM program represents a unique opportunity to gather recognized French experts in quantum optics and information, namely the LPMC, the IEF, and the LPN, to enter the worldwide competition on silicon quantum photonics at its earliest stage. Thanks to this competitive and complementary consortium, both silicon photonics device developments and their exploitation in advanced quantum information applications will be addressed. The expected compactness and integration levels, solely offered by our platform, promise significant advances in quantum-enabling technologies and novel perspectives in quantum optics.