EAGER: Quantum Manufacturing: Scaling Quantum Photonic Circuits with Integrated Superconducting Detectors by 100×

在传统计算技术和新兴量子计算范式的推动下，信息处理领域取得了显着的进步。以经典计算机为代表的现代信息处理技术彻底改变了我们的生活，使我们能够与他人联系，访问大量信息，并高效地执行复杂任务。与此同时，量子信息处理已经成为一个有前途的前沿，提供超越经典极限的独特能力。虽然仍处于早期阶段，但量子信息处理已准备好为社会带来巨大利益，以追求优化物流操作，发现新药以及保护对国家安全至关重要的安全通信。实现实用量子设备的主要挑战之一在于扩展平台上量子组件的数量。拟议的项目旨在通过开发一种新技术来解决这个问题，该技术依赖于将光子引导到超导探测器阵列的信息，以实现高度可扩展的设备。此外，该项目旨在促进量子器件制造技术的进步，促进创新和经济增长。通过支持这一提议，美国国家科学基金会（NSF）将在加速量子技术的发展和将美国置于这一快速发展领域的前沿方面发挥关键作用。此外，该项目将提供教育和多样性的机会，因为它将涉及与学术机构的合作，学生的培训，并促进跨学科的研究。这里提出的研究旨在通过将硅基波导与微波动力学电感探测器（MKID）集成来解决量子光子集成电路（QPIC）的挑战，开创可扩展的量子信息处理器。所提出的方法旨在克服挑战的大小，效率和规模，利用频率复用读出固有的动力学电感探测器，允许大阵列光刻与标准的CMOS制造技术。使用倏逝场来促进检测器和波导之间的光学信息耦合将显著提高检测器效率，同时通过用这种创新的片上方法取代桌面光学实验来减小尺寸、重量和成本。该项目的主要目标包括开发一种强大而可靠的制造工艺，用于将MKID与光子电路集成，在系统效率，光子能量，数量和时序分辨率方面表征其性能，并评估其可扩展性潜力。该研究将涉及理论建模，器件设计和广泛的纳米纤维调查的组合。该项目的学术意义在于它可以对量子技术领域产生变革性影响，建立大规模，高效和可靠的QPIC所需的技术框架。此外，该研究将有助于推进量子器件的制造技术，从而促进基础科学进步转化为实际应用。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The field of information processing has witnessed remarkable advancements, driven by both traditional computing technology and emerging quantum computing paradigms. Modern information processing technology, represented by classical computers, has revolutionized our lives, enabling us to connect with others, access vast amounts of information, and perform complex tasks efficiently. In parallel, quantum information processing has emerged as a promising frontier that offers unique capabilities beyond the classical limit. While still in its early stages, quantum information processing is poised to show great benefit for society in pursuits of optimizing logistical operations, discovery of novel medicines, and the preservation of secure communication of importance for national security. One of the major challenges in realizing practical quantum devices lies in scaling the number of quantum components on a platform. The proposed project aims to solve this problem by developing a new technology which rely on information carrying photons guided to an array of superconducting detectors to achieve a highly scalable device. Moreover, this project aims to contribute to the advancement of manufacturing techniques for quantum devices, fostering innovation and economic growth. By supporting this proposal, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will play a pivotal role in accelerating the development of quantum technology and positioning the United States at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field. Furthermore, the project will provide opportunities for education and diversity, as it will involve collaborations with academic institutions, training of students, and the promotion of interdisciplinary research.The research proposed here aims to address challenges in quantum photonic integrated circuits (QPICs) by integrating silicon-based waveguides with Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) to pioneer a scalable quantum information processor. The proposed approach seeks to overcome challenges in size, efficiencies, and scale by leveraging the frequency multiplexed readout inherent to kinetic inductance detectors, allowing large arrays to be lithographed with standard CMOS fabrication techniques. Using the evanescent field to facilitate optical information coupling between detectors and waveguides will significantly enhance detector efficiencies, while concurrently reducing size, weight, and cost by replacing table-top optical experiments with this innovative on-chip approach. The project's primary goals include the development of a robust and reliable fabrication process for integrating MKIDs with photonic circuits, the characterization of their performance in terms of system efficiencies, photon energy, number, and timing resolution, and the evaluation of their scalability potential. The research will involve a combination of theoretical modeling, device design, and extensive nanofabrication investigations. The intellectual significance of this project lies in the transformative impact it can have on the field of quantum technology, building up the technological framework required for large-scale, efficient, and reliable QPICs. Furthermore, this research will contribute to advancing the manufacturing techniques for quantum devices, thereby facilitating the translation of fundamental scientific advancements into practical applications.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.