Fast optical switching and logic for optical quantum computing

量子力学引发了一场影响我们日常生活的科学技术革命。电子设备，如计算机芯片和激光，都牢牢地基于量子效应。我们正处于下一波量子技术浪潮的边缘，利用纠缠、不确定性和干涉等奇异效应来制造速度极快的计算机和绝对安全的代码。实现光学量子计算机最有希望的途径是基于最近发现的单向模型。在这个模型中，计算是通过对单个量子粒子进行测量来进行的，这些测量是从一个大的纠缠“团簇”状态进行的。每一次测量都不可逆转地侵蚀着团簇的纠缠，因此得名为单向。测量在量子力学中是一个内在的随机过程。单向模型通过根据过去的结果调整未来的测量设置来抵消这种随机性。我们将创建为单向模型设计的光的纠缠偏振态。要想在下一个光子到达之前改变测量设置的能力，需要称为普克尔细胞的快速电控偏振旋转器、快速检测和逻辑电子。*NSERC研究工具和仪器应用程序正在申请资金，用于支持快速自适应测量的设备，这些设备尚未用于单向量子计算。*该设备最初将用于一名学生的M.Sc。和博士项目。此外，一名博士后研究员和一名本科生(每年)将可以使用这些设备。这些学生将获得将最先进的光学设备与计算机控制的实验以及灵敏的光子计数设备进行接口的经验。

Quantum mechanics led to a revolution in science and technology that impacts our daily lives.  Devices, such as computer chips and lasers, are based firmly on quantum effects.  We are on the verge of the next wave of quantum technology, where exotic effects such as entanglement, uncertainty, and interference are harnessed to make blazingly fast computers and absolutely secure codes.  The most promising route to optical quantum computers is based on the recently discovered "one-way" model.  In this model, computation proceeds by making measurements on individual quantum particles from a large entangled "cluster" state.  Each measurement irreversibly eats away at the entanglement of the cluster, hence the name one-way. Measurement is an intrinsically random process in quantum mechanics.  The one-way model counteracts this randomness by adapting the future measurements settings based on the outcomes of ones past.  We will create entangled polarization states of light designed for the one-way model.  The capability to change measurement settings before the next photon arrives requires fast electrically-controlled polarization rotators called Pockels' cells, fast detection, and logic electronics.  This NSERC Research Tools and Instrumentation application is requesting funds for equipment enabling fast adaptive measurements which have not yet been implemented for one-way quantum computing.   This equipment will be used initially for one student's M.Sc. and Ph.D. projects.  In addition, one post-doctoral researcher and one undergraduate student (per year) will have access to the equipment.  These students will gain experience interfacing state-of-the-art optical equipment to computer-controlled experiments, and sensitive photon-counting devices.