Time-frequency signal processing for quantum computation using standard telecommunications systems

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The use of technologies that are based on quantum physics allows for faster and more powerful information processing and computation than their classical counterparts. Indeed, while the latter encode information in single bits (either 0 or 1), quantum technologies can use a d-level system (simultaneously 0 and 1 and 2 … and d, better known as a ‘qudit'). However, standard d-level platforms for quantum technologies tend to be prohibitively expensive, bulky, and lack scalability. This research program will focus on the realization of optical quantum information processing algorithms using standard and inexpensive on chip/fiber telecommunications infrastructure, as well as the scalable and robust photon degrees of freedom given by time and frequency. This will be accomplished by manipulating the qudit cluster states (required for so-called ‘measurement-based' quantum computing) recently demonstrated by the PI. For this vision to become reality, a fundamental component (requested in the current application and not available elsewhere in Canada) is urgently needed, i.e. a lithium niobate electro-optic modulator chip system with exceptional loss, bandwidth, and driving voltage metrics, developed in a breakthrough earlier this year [Nature 562, 101 (2018)]. These unique performance characteristics will enable the efficient and powerful realization of complex non-classical operations. In turn, this will boost the implementation of quantum algorithms (e.g. Grover's search algorithm, relevant to sectors such as big data) in a portable, scalable technology. The benefits related to our research program are two-fold. It will pave the way for the development of new advanced technologies while promoting the training of highly-qualified personnel, consistently with the needs of both Canadian industry and society.