Project OPENING

On-chiP wirelEss quantum state eNgineerING

About the Project

Quantum information science has established a new benchmark in metrology and processing of information, thanks to protocols allowing augmented security in data exchange and increased processing capabilities. In this context, integrated quantum photonics has shown high potential for experimental demonstrations .

The OPENING project aims at developing an innovative wireless photonic integrated circuits (PICs) on a hybrid platform for manipulation of advanced quantum states. The hybrid silicon (Si) platform is maturing fast as increasingly complex circuits are reported with tens of integrated components on a single chip. This platform is well-positioned and holds great potential to address future needs for mediumscale PICs. OPENING therefore aims at exploiting this potential for the development of advanced and scalable wireless photonics circuits, thanks to silicon inherent properties. The OPENING objective is two-fold : (i) to demonstrate for the first time a chip designed for the generation of heralded engineered entanglement, and (ii) to experiment - and this is the real asset for the project -  the wireless control of the chip. The CMOS compatible key advantage hasn't been exploited yet in this field and OPENING proposes to merge the contribution of three institutes (Inria, INPHYNI and LEAT) for enabling wireless controlled of quantum chip, gathering quantum light sources and single photon manipulation stages. It should certainly lead to beyond state-of-the-art progress in quantum devices and novel prospects in quantum optics.

Expected Outcomes

SHORT TERM: within the 6 months time-scale, implementing the chip without RF wireless control will already lead to publication in peer-review journal since such a chip hasn't been published yet. By the end of the project, successful implementation of wireless control of the photonic quantum state will produce another publication in peer-review journal. However, the added value of wireless control will definitively allow for dissemination and outreach events toward the broad audience community. Such a technological device could fit perfectly in the UCA's communication objectives.

MID TERM: on the mid term, such an advanced chip could will be used for real world implementation of quantum networking. There is a larger project, within the framework of UCA mainstream projects, aiming at developing a quantum network within UCA building.