SIBESQ · Silicon-Chip Based Efficient and Scalable Quantum Processing and Production of Photons

The scheme of coherent photon conversion (CPC) promises to break with a single device the two main conceptual roadblocks of scalable photonic quantum information processing: the scalable creation of single photons and the implementation of a deterministic photon-photon interaction. This could bring the vision of efficient and scalable optical quantum computing within reach of current technology. Such a future working quantum computer would revolutionize many fields of science and technology.After the first successful demonstration of a process suitable for CPC, published last year, the challenge is to reach sufficiently high effective nonlinearities. Silicon photonics, offers several distinct advantages for enhancing the effective nonlinearity making this possible. Also, it utilizes highly mature CMOS-fabrication technology with excellent design flexibility.The core research objective of the proposal is pioneering the design, fabrication and utilization of efficient CPC-devices based on integrated micro-cavities on a silicon-chip. The outgoing hosts Profs. Gaeta and Lipson at Cornell University (USA) have a world-leading expertise in fabricating and using novel silicon integrated-optics devices. In combination with the outstanding expertise of the return host Prof. Zeilinger at the University of Vienna (Austria) in photon-based quantum computing, this is ideal for the success of this proposal.There will be extensive micro-fabrication training at the renowned Cornell Nanofabrication Facility (CNF). Moreover, the broad complementary training program allows the fellow to reach an advanced level of professional maturity, enhanced by many international collaborations. The EU will gain direct access to a frontier technology: the design and fabrication of integrated (quantum) silicon-photonic devices. Besides the quantum information-based research (an EU priority under the FET-program), it also has an immense impact in telecommunication and on-chip signal processing.