Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Science is becoming adept at manipulating individual particles such as photons and electrons. The devices that we use these particles in have limits in sensitivity, speed, power, etc. that are set by the strange laws of quantum physics. The careful control of particles in these quantum technologies will allow us to build sensors with dramatically higher sensitivity (Quantum Metrology), computers than can solve intractable problems (Quantum Information), and the first provably secure communication systems (Quantum Cryptography). However, quantum physics is notoriously difficult to understand and contains many unresolved conceptual issues. This is both a problem and an opportunity. The areas of Quantum Information and Quantum Metrology both grew from avenues of enquiry into the area of Fundamental Issues in quantum physics, namely the study of quantum entanglement and measurement, respectively. Indeed, there has been a regular exchange of insights and tools between the three areas. This program will build upon my group's extensive experience in these three areas in order to translate concepts between them with the aim of revealing new applications and understandings. The field of Photonics brings many new possibilities to these three areas. Photonics applies modern technologies to light, such as the micro-fabrication used for computer chips, new types of lasers, and LCD displays. Whereas these applications are mainly based on the classical optics of the last century, this program will develop new kinds of photonic devices that function via the quantum physics of light, `quantum optics'. It will also use such quantum photonics to increase the sensitivity of light-based sensors, e.g. laser gyros, chemical and biological spectral sensors, and remote sensing optical devices. One of the reasons drug development is so incredibly expensive and failure prone is because humans are unable to predict how any given trialed drug-molecule behaves. Though still a distant possibility, a quantum computer would solve this problem by being able to model quantum mechanical systems such as molecules and solids and then predict their properties and behavior. This program is contributing to a global effort to build a quantum computer by leveraging photonic capabilities in order to develop novel ways to manipulate and utilize quantum light. Canada has been a pioneer and leader in both Photonic Telecommunications and Quantum Information. This research program capitalizes on the opportunity to join Canada's strength in these two areas to produce significant benefits for the country. Research at this intersection of engineering, computer science, mathematics, and physics will produce new technologies with diverse applications. The program aims to draw global talent to Canada and also to train highly skilled workers for Canadian Industry in in-demand industrial skills such as photonics design and for the coming revolution of quantum technologies.