Enabling Technology
QU-PIC - Quantum Universal Photonics Integrated Circuit platform
Project description and objective
Quantum technology holds the promise of enabling next-generation computing, communications, and sensing systems. However, the size, cost, and scalability of current devices prevent them from reaching their full potential. Photonics stands out as one of the key enabling technologies for quantum applications. Photonics Integrated Circuits (PICs), in particular, offer the potential for size and cost reduction through wafer-level manufacturing based on microfabrication technologies, thus enabling scalable quantum technologies for the future. To fully realise this potential, a universal PIC technology that can cater to a wide range of quantum applications is essential.
In QU-PIC, the Al2O3 integrated photonics platform has been selected as the backbone technology for the development of quantum PICs. This choice is based on its excellent performance in terms of low propagation loss and its wide operating spectral region, spanning from the ultraviolet (200 nm) to the mid-infrared wavelengths. QU-PIC focuses on developing a variety of PIC building blocks, particularly in areas where materials or integration technologies are not yet available. These building blocks include various light sources such as multiwavelength tunable lasers operating at 399 nm, 411 nm, and 935 nm, UVC external cavity lasers emitting at 280 nm, sources of squeezed photons, single photon detectors, programmable ASICs, as well as the necessary packaging and assembly technologies.
An open PDK will be developed to integrate all the quantum building blocks, thereby accelerating innovation from initial concept to actual system manufacturing. Two application demonstrators will be implemented using these building blocks: a source of GKP states for quantum processing and an atomic clock based on Yb+ ions for quantum sensing. QU-PIC aims to establish a full European supply chain to secure Europe's sovereignty and manufacturing capabilities in photonics integrated circuits for quantum applications.