Development of non-classical light sources for quantum communication and microscopy applications

• Grant number: 18/24178-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: February 11, 2019
• End date: February 10, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics
• Principal Investigator: Rodrigo Figueiredo Shiozaki
• Grantee: Rodrigo Figueiredo Shiozaki
• Host Investigator: Rupert Ursin
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria
• Associated research grant: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

In this project, we propose the construction of non-classical light sources based on the standard spontaneous parametric down-conversion in nonlinear crystals, ranging from 1550 nm down to 532 nm to be implemented in two different applications. First, at the 1.55 um telecom band, we will study fiber-based Quantum Key Distribution, which is one of the most promising technologies for achieving practical and unconditionally secure quantum communications. We plan to realize entangled photon distribution over long distance fiber sections at multiple wavelengths simultaneously with high secure key rates, and decrease the noise sensitivity of the quantum channel by exploiting hyperentangled states. Second, we propose the development of quantum light sources at the unprecedented ultra-short wavelength 532 nm, as part of a bigger project, which aims at producing a quantum-enhanced on-chip interference microscope with very high sensitivities (a few atomic layers) over a large field-of-view in the low light (single-photon) regime. This bigger project is a consortium including other three academic and two industrial partners. (AU)