COMPHORT

一个理想的单光子源将产生一个单光子，由一个按钮触发。近年来已经取得了显著的进展，从这样的光源发出的光子可以以超过50%的概率传递给最终用户。目前最先进的单光子源技术的缺点是进入门槛高：光源由脉冲激光系统触发，在低温下操作，并且经常需要雇佣专业人员，所有这些都加剧了成本。结果是，对于许多应用，潜在用户选择更简单和更具成本效益的概率源，其中单光子概率限制在<10%。COMPHORT通过开发一种用户友好的“即插即用”设备来解决这一挑战，该设备的单光子产生概率超过80%，而不需要庞大的激光系统或低温技术。为了实现这一目标，我们利用了六方氮化硼中量子发射器在环境条件下（20℃）运行时产生的单光子的特殊光学特性。然后，我们将通过直接将发射器集成到定制的开放式光学腔中来增强这一点，该光学腔将封装成一个坚固的组件，以提供可靠的操作。此外，泵浦LED将单片集成到我们的开腔设计中，以触发单光子发射，为最终用户提供简化的电驱动设备。量子发射器和光腔都可以设计成适合一系列量子应用（从通信到计量或成像）。为了展示我们的技术对现实世界应用的适用性，我们将在实验室规模和柏林城市的大都市自由空间链路中实现自由空间量子通信协议。这种量子应用对于光纤不可用的网络互连（如灾区或野战医院）和/或需要节点之间不断变化的地理定位（自动驾驶汽车、飞机、无人机等）至关重要。该项目将与中小企业合作伙伴Nanoplus GmbH和QLocked密切合作，在我们的技术成果和量子光子学市场之间架起桥梁。COMPHORT的产出旨在为欧洲在竞争日益激烈的量子世界经济中提供有价值的主权技术

An ideal single-photon source will produce a single-photon triggered by the push of a button. Remarkable progress has been made in recent years to the point where photons from such sources can be delivered to an end user with a probability exceeding 50%. The downside to current state of the art single-photon source technology is the high barrier to entry: sources are triggered by pulsed laser systems, operate at cryogenic temperatures, and frequently require employment of specialist staff all of which exacerbates costs. The result is that for many applications, potential users opt for simpler and more cost-effective probabilistic sources, where the single photon probability is capped at <10%.COMPHORT tackles this challenge by developing a user-friendly "plug & play" device that will feature single-photon generation probabilities exceeding 80% without requiring bulky laser systems or cryogenics. To achieve this, we take advantage of the exceptional optical properties of single photons generated by quantum emitters in hexagonal boron nitride, when operated under ambient conditions (20 degC). We will then enhance this by directly integrating emitters into bespoke open optical cavities, which will be packaged into a robust assembly to provide reliable operation. Further, a pump LED will be monolithically integrated into our open cavity design to trigger single-photon emission, providing the end user with a simplified electrically driven device. Both the quantum emitters and optical cavity can be engineered to suit a range of quantum applications (from communications to metrology or imaging). To showcase the suitability of our technology for real-world applications, we will implement free-space quantum communication protocols at the laboratory-scale and in a metropolitan free-space link in Berlin city. This quantum application is crucial to interconnect networks where optical fibers are not available (such as disaster zones, or field hospitals) and/or a changing geo-localisation between nodes is required (autonomous car, aeroplanes, drones, etc). The project will develop in close collaboration with the SME partners Nanoplus GmbH and QLocked, bridging the connection between our technology outcomes and the quantum photonics market. The outputs of COMPHORT are aimed at providing Europe with a valuable sovereign technology in an increasingly competitive quantum-enabled world economy