Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Quantum technologies relying on photons and optical processes are providing key innovative solutions for secured data transmissions and quantum computation. To this purpose, quantum properties of light, and in particular entanglement (the property of two or more photons to behave as one, even when physically far apart) have been successfully exploited. However, the requirement for bringing quantum technologies ""out of the lab"" implies the necessary development of entangled light sources.The core (novel) idea of this project is that a centrosymmetric material (i.e., with chi(3) susceptibility), such as diamond, can mimic a non-centrosymmetric one (i.e., with chi(2) susceptibility) under the influence of a strong electric field and can hence be exploited for second-order-like nonlinear processes (such as entangled photon-pairs generation via parametric down conversion), opening the possibility of quantum optics at unexplored frequencies (such as Microwaves and THz). For this vision to become reality, a FUNDAMENTAL component (requested in the current application) is URGENTLY needed, i.e. a set of superconductor-based (SC) ultrasensitive detectors, which represent the current frontier in low-noise single-photon detection. In particular, we request two ultrafast and broadband SC nanowire single-photon detectors, necessary for the detection of quasi-single-cycle photons or visible photon PAIRS (1 pair = 2 photons), which are of central relevance in the proposed investigation. The benefits related to our research program are twofold. In particular we believe that the proposed project will pave the way for the development of new advanced technologies while promoting the training of highly qualified personnel, consistently with the needs of both Canadian industry and society.