Quantum dots for photonic quantum information technologies
Quantum physics has had a revolutionary impact on industry and society in the past century, giving birth to the semiconductor industry and the resulting first generation of quantum devices (computers, TVs, smartphones etc.). Whereas semiconductor physics has arisen from quantum science, the engineering principles of these first generation devices have remained anchored on classical physics. We are presently at the verge of a second revolution of quantum science, where quantum engineering based on direct exploitation of fundamental quantum mechanical abilities such as superposition and entanglement promises entire new technologies for society. However, lack of scalability of quantum information (QI) technology remains the fundamental technical challenge preventing most QI technologies from becoming a reality - a critical bottleneck to which a new generation of researchers is urgently needed. In QUDOT-TECH we build from the semiconductor QD - the most mature QI technology - and propose a solution to the scalability obstacle in the form of a quantum network based on QDs coupled efficiently to each other using optical waveguides. We will construct the world’s first platform for fully integrated on-chip QI processing, a cornerstone potentially equivalent to the silicon transistor in the first generation of quantum devices. As this is frontier research, current doctoral research programmes do not provide the required interdisciplinary skillset and the entrepreneurial-like mind-set required to secure application-oriented breakthroughs within the QI field. Hereto, we have gathered the best European academic and industrial partners to train 15 ESRs to an outstanding level, where they can act as Europe’s future leaders within QI technology. The QUDOT-TECH ESRs will fill in a much needed link between academia and industry and will make the new technology widely available through one or more spin-out companies - ultimately propelling Europe to leadership at the global scale.