Canada-UK Quantum Technologies Call: Development of Highly Efficient, Portable, and Fiber-Integrated Photonic Platforms Based on Micro-Resonators

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In the context of major technological advances, smart applications, and an increased amount of data transmitted over the internet, the need for trusted data security approaches has never been more pressing. This requires high levels of computational complexity through traditional methods, and given the scalability limits of electronic devices, novel countermeasures are much in demand. A promising approach for secure communication is provided by quantum cryptography (QC), a revolutionary method which uses the quantum features of particles for data encryption, by means of quantum key distribution (QKD). Photonic platforms provide huge advantages in terms of speed, transmission distance, and encoding techniques, as well as device footprint and power consumption. These are only made possible via integration strategies of on-chip structures with fiber-optic networks. However, the development of such devices for real-world implementations often dictates a trade-off between cost and performance. In the proposed project, we aim, with the support of our industrial partner OEC, to achieve three primary objectives: i) realization of efficient source (micro-resonator) cavity architectures for the generation of classical and quantum light; ii) quantification of source properties such as efficiency, coherence, etc. and the implementation of standard QKD protocols using the proposed source architectures; and iii) development of an optimized and compact all-fiber prototype for commercialization. The envisioned platform will utilize the temporal modes of photons for encryption, scalable to other degrees of freedom. This proposal benefits from the successful collaboration with the UK academic and industrial teams, who will, in parallel, realize such source architectures for the development of miniature atomic clocks. The project outcomes will benefit Canada through the training of highly qualified personnel in the interdisciplinary fields of integrated photonics and device design, thus allowing them to pursue careers in both industry and academia. The development of state-of-the-art quantum technologies is key to maintaining Canada's edge in information technology and quantum communication applications.