An integrated platform for quantum networks

利用量子力学的复杂性的技术将导致计算、安全通信、传感和计量系统大大超出我们当前技术的能力。最有希望的方法是量子网络，或称量子互联网，其中光被用来远距离传输量子信息(通常使用低损耗光纤)，原子或固态材料被(在网络节点)用来处理和存储这些信息。**光和原子之间的相互作用天生就很弱，这构成了与量子技术发展相关的最大挑战之一。在两面镜子(即所谓的光学腔体)之间放置原子或固态材料极大地提高了光-物质相互作用的效率，特别是在腔体尺寸达到微观尺寸的情况下。需要实用的工程解决方案来将原子和纳米级固态材料嵌入到微米级的光学腔体中，以及构建由大量这样的腔体组成的系统。这仍然是一个重大的、尚未解决的技术挑战。**我们最近开发了一种在单个芯片上制造高质量、微型光学腔阵列的新工艺。我们已经取得了一些关键的里程碑，包括在与量子计算相关的波长范围内的操作，以及应该能够实现相干原子-光子相互作用的光学特性的组合。**在此基础上，我们提出了一个长期愿景来实现‘量子芯片’，它结合了芯片上微腔阵列、在这些腔内精确定位原子和机械谐振器的技术，以及用于调节光学性质、控制原子和作为微波信号接口的芯片上电子布线。我们将利用这些芯片实现单光子(单光粒子)的集成来源和集成系统在微波域和光域之间转换量子信息。这项工作承诺将使加拿大处于被广泛寻求的量子信息技术的前沿。

Technologies that exploit the complexity of quantum mechanics will lead to computing, secure communications, sensing, and metrology systems that greatly exceed the capabilities of our current technologies. The most promising approach is the quantum network, or 'quantum internet', where light is used to transmit quantum information over large distances (typically using low-loss fiber optics), and atoms or solid-state materials are used (at network nodes) to process and store this information.**The interaction between light and atoms is inherently weak, posing one of the greatest challenges associated with quantum technology development. Placing atoms or solid-state materials between two mirrors (a so-called optical cavity) strongly increases the efficiency of light-matter interactions, especially as the cavity is scaled to microscopic dimensions. Practical engineering solutions are needed for embedding atoms and nano-scale solid-state materials into micro-scale optical cavities, and for building systems that comprise large numbers of such cavities. This remains as a significant, unsolved technological challenge.**We have recently developed a new process for fabricating arrays of high-quality, microscopic optical cavities on a single chip. We have already achieved some key milestones, including operation in wavelength ranges relevant to quantum computing, and a combination of optical properties that should enable coherent atom-photon interactions.**Building on this, we propose a long-term vision to implement 'quantum chips', which combine arrays of on-chip micro-cavities, techniques for precisely locating atoms and mechanical resonators within these cavities, and on-chip electrical wiring for tuning of optical properties, control of atoms, and as an interface for microwave signals. We will use these chips to implement integrated sources of single photons (single light particles) and integrated systems to convert quantum information between the microwave and optical domains. This work promises to place Canada at the forefront of widely sought quantum information technologies.******************