QuIC-TAQS: Multifunctional integrated quantum photonic processor for quantum interconnect

量子信息技术利用量子力学的基本定律进行信息处理，有望显著提高计算、传感和通信安全的能力。基本的底层主干是量子互连，它可以在不同的系统之间忠实地传输量子信息。为此，已经探索了各种方法。到目前为止，它们的性能是有限的，在它们能够在实际的量子互连中实现之前仍然存在重大挑战，这种互连需要以高速、可扩展的方式和在广泛的光谱范围内忠实地传输脆弱的量子态。该项目旨在通过探索和开发一种多功能的光子集成量子处理单元来应对这一挑战，该单元可以显著增强未来量子互连的量子连接性。这项研究有望为处理光子携带的量子信息提供一种新的范式，开辟一条通往量子优势的新途径。根据该计划开发的技术预计将对工业部门产生深远的商业影响。该项目将为未来量子产业的劳动力发展做出贡献。相关的教育努力和推广活动有望为培训从K-12到研究生的学生提供非凡的材料和灵感，并为扩大代表不足和经济困难群体的参与提供极好的机会。该项目旨在探索和开发一个新开发的可扩展和集成的LiNbate平台上的多功能量子光子处理器，以确定性的方式生产、存储、操作和转换光子量子态和可扩展量子比特，有望显著增强下一代量子互联的量子连通性。该项目利用我们在集成光子学、量子和非线性光学、量子材料科学与工程以及量子测量和表征方面的领先专业知识，开展协同基础研究，旨在实现高效的光子-光子和光子-离子相互作用，从而实现一系列有望改变量子连接最先进水平的量子逻辑、转换、存储和处理功能。底层光子集成电路平台的直接电信兼容性和平台可扩展性使其能够在不久的将来无缝过渡到实际实施和应用。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Quantum information technology leverages the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics for information processing, which is expected to significantly advance the capability of computing, sensing, and communication security. The essential underlying backbone is quantum interconnect that can transfer quantum information faithfully between disparate systems. A variety of approaches have been explored for this purpose. So far, their performances are limited and significant challenges remain before they could be implemented in a practical quantum interconnect that requires transferring fragile quantum states faithfully at a high speed, in a scalable fashion, and across a broad spectral range. The project aims to address this challenge, by exploring and developing a multifunctional integrated quantum processing unit for photons that can significantly enhance the quantum connectivity for a future quantum interconnect. This research is expected to offer a new paradigm for processing quantum information carried by photons, opening up a novel path towards the quantum advantage. The technology developed under this program is expected to have profound commercial impact on the industrial sector. The project will contribute to the workforce development for future quantum industry. The associated educational efforts and outreach activities are expected to offer extraordinary materials and inspiration and excellent opportunities for training students from K-12 to graduate students and for broadening the participation from underrepresented and economically disadvantageous groups.This project aims to explore and develop a multifunctional quantum photonic processor on a newly developed scalable and integrated lithium niobate platform, to produce, store, manipulate, and transduce photonic quantum states and scalable quantum bits in a deterministic fashion that is expected to significantly enhance the quantum connectivity for next-generation quantum interconnect. The project leverages our leading expertise in integrated photonics, quantum and nonlinear optics, quantum material science and engineering, and quantum measurement and characterization, to carry out a synergetic fundamental research directed towards realizing efficient photon-photon and photon- ion interactions that would enable a series of quantum logic, transduction, storage, and processing functionalities expected to transform the state-of-the-art of quantum connectivity. The direct telecom compatibility and the platform scalability of the underlying photonic integrated circuit platform enable seamless transition to practical implementation and application in the near future.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.