Summary
An essential aspect of a quantum channel is the detection and analysis of quantum signals in the form of photons. For most free-space applications, the photons are polarization encoded, e.g. by assigning the ‘0’ to horizontally polarized photons and ‘1’ to vertically polarized photons. However, where the geometric reference is not constant at all times – such as links to hand-held devices or aircraft – polarization encoding leads to increased error. For these situations, time-bin encoding offers a promising robust solution. In this approach, time photon represents ‘0’ or ‘1’ depending on its detection in one of two time windows. Just like in the case of polarization encoding, where a photon can be in a superposition of vertical and horizontal polarization, a time-bin encoded photon can be in a superposition of being in the first and the second time window. Additionaly, quantum signals can be relatively easily converted between being polarization and time-bin encoded.
In this project, we jointly develop a quantum receiver with short time delay and high timing resolution that is optimized to handle time-bin encoded quantum signals. By combining our team’s expertise in free-space quantum receivers with a new detector array technology developed by Dr. Serge Charlebois and Jean-Francois Pratte of the University of Sherbrooke and by introducing new capabilities for integrated free-space time-bin encoding with high timing resolution detection, we expect to achieve state-of-the-art performance for quantum signal receiver technology. Such high-speed devices will open new doors for a variety of applications including daylight and continuous variable quantum key distribution, quantum sensing, imaging and LIDAR, and fundamental science tests.
Related Content
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Quantum Materials, Devices and Molecules
Summary This project advances our ability to characterize and study novel quantum materials, quantum devices, and even individual molecules at the atomic level. By combining Non-Contact Atomic Force Microscopy (NC-AFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) and scanning gate methods, we correlate spatial information with transport properties and can locally manipulate charge, spin and structural states. […]
January 28, 2019
Developing Tools for Quantum Characterization and Validation
Summary Coherence is essential for quantum computation; yet it introduces a unique sensitivity to any imperfections in hardware design, control systems, and the operating environment. Overcoming these sensitivities requires a hierarchy of strategies, ranging from optimization of the hardware architecture to software solutions including quantum error correction. Randomized Benchmarking Protocols are an important family of […]
October 3, 2017
Plasmon Control of Quantum States in Semiconductor Nanocrystals
Summary Thanks to the light-induced collective oscillations of free charges at the boundary between a conducting material and a dielectric, known as surface plasmon resonance, metallic nanostructures can exhibit strong light absorption and scattering. The sensitivity of these resonances to the local environment and shape of the metallic structures allows them to be used, […]
March 21, 2018
Metasurfaces for high-efficiency parametric downconversion and complex quantum state generation
Summary Entangled photon sources are crucial for quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communication. Of growing importance are sources relying on spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC). Unfortunately, these sources of entangled photons are often constrained by momentum conservation laws. To overcome this limitation and expand the possibility of quantum state engineering, we intend to use metasurfaces […]
February 1, 2023