Coordinator
0000-0001-8195-214X
The goal of the NLPQT project is development of country-wide infrastructure to enable practical utilization of properties of individual quantum objects, with particular emphasis on the possibility of using single photons in quantum communication. NLPQT infrastructure will enable research and development work, leading to the design, launching and development of complex and secure systems using quantum key distribution (QKD) techniques and quantum communication, as well as integration of these solutions with other mechanisms used at present to secure data transmitted over IT and telecommunication systems. Further, test workstations enabling the development of applications of single quantum objects, such as electrons, quantum dots, or atoms will be established within the framework of the NLQPT project. New functionalities enabled by properties of single quantum objects will find applications in the areas listed below.
New functionalities enabled by properties of single quantum objects
Communication
- Physically-secured cryptography thanks to Heisenberg uncertainty principle
- Quantum intenet: long distance transmission of quantum superpositions
Metrology
- Improved parameter sensing using quantum mechanical effects
- Improved phase estimation thanks to quadrature squeezing – Advanced LIGO
Simulation
Engineer interactions between controllable particles to simulate complex material systems, e.g. use a lattice of single atoms with light-controlled interactions to simulate solid-state systems.
Computing
- A quantum bit may be 0 and 1 at the same time – a quantum superposition
- Quantum superposition and entanglement enable massive parallelization of a range of hard computational tasks
The main areas of research and development work carried out in the NLPQT project include:
Quantum key distribution
- Intercity Warsaw - Poznań trusted node QKD link
- Local QKD links in Poznań and Warsaw
- QKD system deployment in operational testbeds and services
- QKD development and integration in existing optical data transmission systems
- QKD in the National System for Distribution of Reference Optical Carrier
Applications
- Quantum cryptography for critical services/infrastructure
- Quantum communication for quantum computing
- QKD standardization and implementation in DWDM
Quantum communication & photonic quantum interfaces
- Photons: ideal carriers of quantum information thanks to weak interaction with environment and low transmission losses
- Testbed for novel quantum communication protocols
- Electrooptic and nonlinear photonic interfaces for low loss conversion of single-photon pulse parameters
Applications
- Photonic interfacing of quantum objects (atoms, ions, quantum defects)
- Long distace transmission of quantum superpositions and entanglement
Infrastructure
- Dark-fiber link to PIONIER network
- Single photon sources and detectors
- Lasers, modulators, calibration equipment
Quantum imaging
- Detection of photons with high spatial and temporal resolution
- Development of imaging techniques based on spatial and temporal photon correlations
- Generation of single photons and photon pairs
Applications
- Tests of multi-pixel single photon detectors
- Biological imaging enhanced by quantum effects
- Fluorescence microscopy
Solotronics and semiconductors
- Studies of semiconductor and photonic micro- and nanostructures using state-of-the-art optical spectroscopy techniques
- Hybrid semiconductor-metal microstructures
Applications
- Quantum information processing in solid state
- On-demand single and entangled photons
- Flexible optoelectronic devices
Infrastructure
- Setup for femtosecond spectroscopy of semiconductors, with magnetic field (up to 11 T) in pumped helium cryostats
- Microscope objectives enabling sub-micrometer spatial resolution,
- Streak cameras enabling a few ps temporal resolution
Quantum communication & quantum memories
- Optical link between a ground station and a satellite receiver has a potential to increase the range of quantum communication protocols to global scale
- Fiber based links are key elements of urban quantum key distribution infrastructure
- Interaction of a single photon with an isolated quantum system is a basic block of quantum memories
Applications
- Absolutely secure communication
- Quantum information processing and quantum memories
Infrastructure
- Cryogenic confocal microscope with a laser light source
Cold atoms - quantum sensing
Atom interferometry using cold atoms is an emerging quantum technology:
- Absolute gravity measurements can be made with interfering matter waves
- Mobility of the setup will enable gravity measurements outside of the laboratory environment without a need for calibration of the device
Applications
- Search for underground objects and/or voids
- GPS-free navigation using gravity maps
Infrastructure
- mobile matter-wave interferometry unit
