Since the onset of the digital age, the need to process tremendous amounts of data has become of critical importance for healthcare, financial, and government sectors. This has made information processing tasks increasingly complex, and thus far, there exists no realistic platform that can meet the stringent requirements of the computation industry, e.g., in terms of power and speed. A potential solution are systems that can enable parallel processing of data.

Quantum technologies (QTs) such as quantum computing, information processing, and sensing will characterize next generation lives. For this reason, many efforts have been spent to implement quantum platforms for integrated, affordable, and reproducible QTs. Quantum photonics provides an ideal framework to achieve this goal. In this project, we will deliver an integrated quantum photonic platform capable of generating complex entangled states based on few photons simultaneously entangled in high-dimensional time and frequency modes.

The next generation of smart Internet services requires a high level of data protection for sensitive information exchanged (e.g., bank transactions, defense operations). The forthcoming advent of accessible quantum computation will put at risk any classical encryption protocols. Unbreakable data protection, against cyberattacks or unauthorized access, can be guaranteed by quantum encryption protocols, such as the quantum key distribution (QKD) technique.

With quantum computers which are just starting to hit the market, today’s encryption methods will soon become obsolete. In order to ensure an unconditionally secure data storage/encryption, communications will have to rely on a technology making use of the laws of quantum mechanics. The present MITACS application proposes to build the prototype of an optical source specifically designed for quantum secure communications as well as the development of quantum networks.