LINQs: Lithium Niobate Quantum Systems - ERC Starting Grant

Quantum technologies are expected to have a transformative impact by exploiting fundamental quantum mechanical effects for technological applications such as quantum computation, quantum simulation, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. Photons are the only reliable qubit for quantum information transmission, making them an essential resource for quantum technologies. However, quantum photonics will only meet its expectation as a ground breaking technology when integrated in a scalable fashion. The solution lies in quantum photonic integrated circuits where photons are used to encode and process quantum information on-chip, offering scalable quantum information processing units. Currently, different integration platforms are investigated with a selection of building blocks available. However, no platform has shown a comprehensive toolbox combining all functionalities on a single chip. In this project I will demonstrate that the thin film lithium niobate on insulator platform can simultaneously link all quantum photonics building blocks on a single platform, resulting in fully integrated quantum photonic integrated circuits. I will develop integrated Lithium Niobate Quantum systems (LiNQs) showcasing the generation, manipulation, and analysis of photonic qubits. This will result in the first compatible integration platform hosting semiconductor quantum emitters, quantum memories based on rare-earth ions, cryogenic electronics, and superconducting single-photon detectors together with the outstanding properties of CMOS-compatible lithium niobate on insulator: low-loss circuits and fast modulators. By developing all required building blocks and linking them to scalable systems, I will provide the quantum technology community a single integration platform for all quantum photonics applications. LiNQs will lay the foundation for Europe’s forefront position in a future photonics- driven quantum technology industry.