Porteur : Tanzilli Sébastien

 Collaborateurs LPMC : Alibart Olivier, Aschiéri Pierre, D’Auria Virginia, De Micheli Marc, Doutre Florent, Ostrowsky Daniel

 Collaborateurs extérieurs : Partenaires du projet européen FP7-ICT-2009-C / FET Open Call [1]

 Doctorants/Post-docs : Martin Anthony, Kaiser Florian

 Soutiens financiers : European project FP7-ICT 2009 / FET Open Call

 Plateformes technologiques : Optique intégrée sur niobate de lithium

 Description :

Quantum information science (QIS) is a pioneering field of research at the interface of physics and information science. By harnessing the unique properties of quantum mechanics to encode, transmit and process information, QIS offers significant opportunities to revolutionize information and communication technologies. Of the various physical systems currently investigated, single particles of light (photons) are destined to take a central role due to their inherent low noise, ease of manipulation at the single photon level and light-speed transmission. However, most proof-of-principle demonstrations have relied on bulky optical components, and are limited in terms of stability, size, scalability and complexity. Here, we propose a paradigm shift in the approach to optical QIS, which would overcome these limitations by developing a novel “integrated quantum photonic technology Platform”. Fully integrated quantum photonic devices for advanced QIS experiments, will allow unprecedented complexity and stability and enable new scientific development in the field of quantum optics. The main aim of this project is to develop the tools, components and concepts that will enable progress towards large-scale, integrated quantum photonic circuits for the development of advanced quantum systems for the purposes of quantum communications, information processing and metrology. A range of discrete integrated quantum photonic components will be developed and then integrated to form proof-of-principle demonstrators of fully integrated prototypes, where all major components are integrated onto a single chip. To ensure the success of this project the consortium has gathered the complementary expertise of world experts in integrated linear and non-linear optics, solid-state single-photon sources, single-photon detectors and photonic QIS. This project will establish a new major research direction in Europe for the development of QIS using the integrated quantum photonic platform. More specifically, LPMC work will aim at designing, fabricating, and characterizing high-end integrated optical chips on lithium niobate gathering several optical functions, such as photon-pair generators, electro-optically controllable wavelength demultiplexers (WDM) and couplers, and segmented taper input/output waveguides, towards demonstrating their potential for generating non-classical states of light emitted at a telecom wavelength. The quantum states under consideration are for instance heralded two single photon states at the same time (also called 1-photon Fock states), or heralded two-photon NOON states (also called 2-photon Fock states), using an on-demand reconfigurable optical chip on which two photon-pair generators, two WDMs, and a 50/50 directional coupler are integrated on a single substrate. Such states will further be employed, in collaboration with other groups from the consortium, for achieving basic quantum gate functions that lie at the heart of quantum information treatment.