Towards quantum photonic devices based on high-dimensional optical modes

在过去的十年中，光纤中携带轨道角动量(OAM)低阶态的光学模式的研究受到了光通信应用的范式改变的潜力的推动，在增强的信息容量方面。然而，最新的研究表明，该领域新的科学和技术进步将取决于我们驾驭高阶OAM模式的能力。这些高阶OAM模式已经开始通过对光的高维量子态的研究，开启了一个更大的未被探索的基础发现世界。拟议的研究计划预计将为量子光与物质相互作用提供新的基本见解，并推动量子通信和量子传感的科学前沿。这将通过以下方式实现：1)找到新的光纤和光子方案来访问高阶OAM模式，2)研究用于高维量子OAM通信的新方法和技术，以及3)研究使用钻石NV中心的光纤量子传感的新模式。他说，由于学术界、公共部门和私营部门各级对量子技术的兴趣迅速增长，拟议的计划为科学贡献提供了肥沃的土壤。未来量子互联世界的研究处于电气工程、信息科学和物理学的交汇点。因此，通过研究生研究培训，建立一支熟练操作这些复杂量子系统的多样化劳动力队伍，是至关重要和紧迫的。因此，该计划的另一个关键成果是培训量子信息科学和量子计量学领域的下一代科学家。通过该计划在加拿大产生的新方法、技术诀窍和HQP将促进该领域的进一步科学进步，并促进对我们共同未来具有战略重要性的新兴研发生态系统。

The study of optical modes carrying low-order states of orbital angular momentum (OAM) in fiber during the last decade was motivated by the paradigm-changing potential for optical communication applications in terms of enhanced information capacity. However the latest research shows that new scientific and technological advances in the area will depend on our ability to harness the high-order OAM modes. These high-order OAM modes have started to open an even larger unexplored world of fundamental discoveries through the study of high-dimensional quantum states of light. The proposed research program is expected to provide new fundamental insights into quantum light-matter interactions and push the scientific frontiers of quantum communications and quantum sensing. This will be achieved through: 1) finding new optical fibers and photonic schemes to access the high-order OAM modes, 2) the investigation of new methods and techniques for high-dimensional quantum OAM communications, and 3) the study of new modalities for fiber-optic quantum sensing using diamond NV centers.      Owing to the rapidly growing interest in quantum technologies at all levels of the academic, public and private sectors, there is a fertile ground for scientific contributions coming from the proposed program. Research in a future quantum connected world lies at the intersection of electrical engineering, information science and physics. It is thus crucial and urgent to establish a diverse workforce skilled in handling these complex quantum systems through graduate research training. Hence another key outcome of this program is the training of the next-generation of scientists in the fields of quantum information science and quantum metrology. The new methods, know-how and HQP produced in Canada through this program will promote further scientific advances in the domain and feed this emerging R&D ecosystem of strategic importance to our collective future.