Nanoscale photonic devices to store, process, and transfer quantum information

目前正在开发用于安全量子通信的量子光子器件，利用量子物理定律，利用单个光子来分发加密密钥，以确保信息的安全传输。然而，长距离发送单光子是极具挑战性的，因为光子在数据传输中会通过传统的通信通道被光纤吸收而丢失。由于这种传输损失，量子信息只能在附近城市之间相对较短的距离内传播。为了将安全量子信息传播的距离延长到数千公里，需要新的量子光子器件技术。此外，由于不可能像经典信号那样放大量子信号，量子中继器（一种重复量子信号的设备）是实现长距离量子通信最现实的设备。远距离量子信息的安全分发将影响政府、军队、银行机构、企业以及需要保护其敏感和个人数据的每个人。

Currently, quantum photonic devices are being developed for secure quantum communication, whereby single photons are used to distribute an encrypted key to ensure secure information transfer by applying the laws of quantum physics. However, sending single photons over long distances is extremely challenging since photons get lost in data transmission by being absorbed in optical fibers via classical communication channels. Due to this transmission loss, quantum information can only be distributed over relatively short distances, between nearby cities. To extend the distance that secure quantum information can travel, to thousands of kilometers, new quantum photonic device technologies are needed. In addition, since it is not possible to amplify quantum signals in the same manner as classical signals, a quantum repeater (a device that repeats a quantum signal) is the most realistic device to achieve long distance quantum communication. Secure distribution of quantum information over longer distances will impact government, military, banking institutions, businesses and everyone who needs to safeguard their sensitive and personal data. This research program will develop tunable quantum light sources using photonic nanowires for the on-demand generation of entangled photon pairs, meaning that only single pairs are created every time they are needed, potentially offering unprecedented security over current quantum communication systems. A major challenge that will be addressed in this proposal is bringing two remote entangled sources to the same energy. Specifically, this new technology will make it possible to demonstrate the first working node of a quantum repeater. The program will also focus on developing new technology to interface single electrons (where quantum information is stored and processed) with single photons (where quantum information is transmitted), and to scale-down the manipulation of light at the single photon level from a large-scale optical laboratory setting to a single chip compatible with existing fabrication technology used in computer processors and memories. This will potentially be used as scalable and compact systems for photonic interfaces on a cryogenic quantum computer to calculate problems that are impossible to solve using present-day computers. The highly qualified personnel within Dr. Reimer's research program will emerge with advanced research training in quantum information science and with the unique skills necessary to work in the emerging quantum industry. Their training will include hands-on experience in cutting-edge nanofabrication of quantum devices, advanced measurement techniques in quantum optics at the single photon level and quantum transport at the single electron level, and by using Dr. Reimer's network in industry they will gain expertise in translating fundamental quantum research into real-world applications.