Grant: Idea to Innovation
University of Waterloo
$125,000.00
A quantum light source for secure key distribution and quantum research
FY 2014-15
Summary
This project investigates a simple new approach to generating polarization entangled photon pairs. Entangled photons are a type of quantum light source that can be used for securely distributing encryption keys. Our technology addresses a major problem that has prevented these sources from transitioning out of the lab: robustness, compactness, and affordability while maintaining a high level of quality.The technology that has been developed overcomes these hurdles because it creates entanglement directly inside a tiny photonic chip. Being contained in this manner, it is naturally stable, and it avoids the need for extra supporting optical equipment. Our idea is thus an enabler for quantum encryption technology because it targets these engineering criteria directly. The objective of this i2i proposal is to demonstrate this behaviour, to showcase it's potential as a research tool, as a learning aid, and as a stable node or source of quantum light that can be used in a commercial setting.
Program
Idea to Innovation
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
463144-2014
Name nom
Laflamme, Raymond
Department département
Physics and Astronomy
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2014
Competition year année de concours
2014
Award amount
125000
Program id
I2IPJ
Program name en
Idea to Innovation
Program name fr
De l'idée à l'innovation
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
1207
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Information, computer and communication technologies
Area of application fr
Technologie de l'information, des ordinateurs et des réseaux de communications
Research subject code
3110
Research subject group en
Physics
Research subject group fr
Physique
Research subject en
Optics (see also photon devices2505)
Research subject fr
Optique (voir aussi dispositifs photoniques, 2505)
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
A quantum light source for secure key distribution and quantum research
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
This project investigates a simple new approach to generating polarization entangled photon pairs. Entangled photons are a type of quantum light source that can be used for securely distributing encryption keys. Our technology addresses a major problem that has prevented these sources from transitioning out of the lab: robustness, compactness, and affordability while maintaining a high level of quality.The technology that has been developed overcomes these hurdles because it creates entanglement directly inside a tiny photonic chip. Being contained in this manner, it is naturally stable, and it avoids the need for extra supporting optical equipment. Our idea is thus an enabler for quantum encryption technology because it targets these engineering criteria directly. The objective of this i2i proposal is to demonstrate this behaviour, to showcase it's potential as a research tool, as a learning aid, and as a stable node or source of quantum light that can be used in a commercial setting.
