Developing components for quantum communications and computing
What is Quantum Photonics?
- Quantum photonics is key to ensure ultra-safe data transmission. It also has recently emerged as a potential path towards quantum computing.
- Ensuring large-scale integration is necessary to enable quantum applications. To achieve massive integration, CEA-Leti leverages its mature Si and SiN photonics platform for the development of low-loss quantum photonic hardware.
- CEA-Leti specifically develops quantum-grade photonic integrated components & circuits for the generation, fast encoding, coherent manipulation & detection of photonic qubits. CEA-Leti components are compatible with discrete or continuous variable approaches.
Applications
CEA-Leti's quantum photonics platform enables the development of next-generation technologies for key industries such as:
- Finance
- Health care
- Energy
- Telecommunications
- Defense
The goal
- CEA-Leti aims at contributing to the future generation of miniaturized ultra-secure quantum communication systems, either fiber-based or in free-space, by developing integrated quantum transmitter and receiver circuits matching the specifications of the most advanced quantum communication protocols, such as device-independent ones.
- CEA-Leti also aims at contributing to the development of integrated quantum photonic processors relying for example on measurement-based quantum computing protocols. We address the heart of the programmable quantum processor while ensuring seamless generation of entangled photon cluster states and their high-efficiency detection on-chip.
Key facts
State-of-the-art capabilities
- Design, Process integration in 200/300mm, Test, Packaging
Versatile platform
- Comprehensive library of mature components @ 1310 and 1550nm
- Integration of new materials (NbN, LiNbO3…)
Record low optical losses
- Si waveguides: 0.2-1.1dB/cm
- SiN waveguides: 0.05dB/cm
What does it require?
CEA-Leti's experts are developing key integrated components and circuits to enable advanced quantum key distribution protocols and quantum processing:
Single photon generation
- Hybrid III-V/Si lasers delivering weak coherent pulses [1]
- High-Q ring resonators delivering heralded single photons (currently MHz rate, targeting GHz rate) [2]
Photon fast encoding and coherent manipulation
- Loss-free thermo-optic phase shifters
- Fast phase shifters based on free-carrier plasma dispersion
- Towards fast & low-loss Pockels phase shifters
Single photon detection
- HgCdTe avalanche photodiodes [3] with a world-record speed for the detection of mesoscopic photon states
- Optimized NbN material [4] for superconducting nanowire single photon detectors with high efficiency and low dark counts