Integrated sources of multi-entangled/multi-dimensional quantum states

在不久的将来，“智能”设备的大规模网络集成，以及随之而来的对带宽的快速增长的需求，将需要能够实现这一过渡的新技术。主要的要求将是高数据速率的计算和处理能力，以处理所谓的“大数据”。由于今天的技术在功耗和计算性能方面很快就会达到极限，从而无法满足这些需求，基于量子力学定律的新方法应运而生，成为一种有前途的替代方案。预计量子计算在某些特定任务中的表现将超过经典计算，从根本上解决因式分解和排序等重要问题。要实现有意义的量子计算，需要复杂的高维量子态，但到目前为止，实验上还无法获得具有可伸缩、定制量子态输出的实用方法-因此减缓了量子技术的实现。在这里，我们打算建立在我们之前的结果的基础上，即演示了一个产生双光子和多光子量子比特态的芯片上光学光源(经典比特的量子模拟)，或者换句话说，量子比特的频率梳(Science 351,1176(2016))。基于这些发现，我们的目标是以完整和紧凑的形式实现高维量子态。在这里，我们提出了一个新的颠覆性的方案，特别是我们计划利用时间绑定和频率绑定纠缠相结合的超纠缠态，专注于展示有史以来实现的最大量子态(也包括体系统！)。为了实现这一愿景，迫切需要一个基本组件(在本申请中需要，在加拿大其他地方没有)，即结合高频射频合成器作为驱动单元的超高速光调制器。这样的设备将被用来为产生的单光子引入确定性的频移，这是实现和设计频率绑定纠缠所必需的。拟议的研究计划带来了两方面的好处。它不仅将为新的先进量子技术的发展铺平道路，而且还将促进加拿大工业和社会需要的高素质人才的培养。

The massive network integration of “intelligent” devices in the near-future, in addition to the consequent rapidly increasing demands on bandwidth, will require novel technologies that can enable this transition. The main requirement will be a high data rate computing and processing power to handle so-called “big data.” Since today’s technology will soon reach its limit with regard to power consumption and computing performances, thus failing to fulfill these demands, a new approach based on the laws of quantum mechanics emerges as a promising alternative. Quantum computation is predicted to outperform its classical counterpart in certain specific tasks, solving fundamentally important problems such as factorization and sorting. For realizing meaningful quantum computing, complex high-dimensional quantum states are required, but practical approaches with scalable, custom quantum state outputs have been experimentally inaccessible thus far - consequently slowing the realization of quantum technologies. Here we intend to build on our previous results, i.e. the demonstration of an on-chip optical light source generating two- and multi-photon qubit states (the quantum analogue to the classical bit), or, in other words, a frequency comb of qubits (Science 351, 1176 (2016). Based on these findings, our goal is the realization of high-dimensional quantum states in an integrated and compact form . Here we propose a new and disruptive scheme, in particular we plan to exploit hyper-entangled states built on the combination of time-bin and frequency-bin entanglement, focusing on the demonstration of the largest quantum state ever realized (also including bulk systems!). 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. an ultra-fast optical modulator in combination with a high-frequency RF synthesizer as a driving unit. Such equipment will be used to introduce a deterministic frequency shift of the generated single photons, required to implement and design the frequency-bin entanglement. The benefits stemming from the proposed research program are two-fold. Not only will it pave the way for the development of new advanced quantum technologies, but it will also promote the training of highly-qualified personnel as needed by both Canadian industry and society.