Researchers at the University of Bristol have achieved a significant milestone in advancing quantum technology by successfully integrating the world’s smallest quantum light detector onto a silicon chip. Their groundbreaking research, titled “A Bi-CMOS electronic photonic integrated circuit quantum light detector,” has been published in Science Advances.
The miniaturization of transistors onto microchips in the 1960s marked a pivotal moment in the information age. Now, the University of Bristol has achieved a similar feat by demonstrating the integration of a quantum light detector—smaller than a human hair—onto a silicon chip, a crucial step towards harnessing quantum technologies using light.
The ability to manufacture high-performance electronics and photonics at scale is essential for realizing the next generation of advanced information technologies. This achievement represents a significant stride forward in the global effort to produce quantum technologies in existing commercial facilities, undertaken by universities and companies worldwide.
Quantum computing, in particular, stands to benefit from the ability to manufacture high-performance quantum hardware at scale. The compact size of the quantum light detector developed by the Bristol researchers enables fast operation, facilitating high-speed quantum communications and optical quantum computing.
Employing established and commercially available fabrication techniques enhances the feasibility of integrating these quantum light detectors into various technologies, including sensing and communications. According to Professor Jonathan Matthews, Director of the Quantum Engineering Technology Labs at the University of Bristol, these detectors, known as homodyne detectors, have widespread applications in quantum optics, quantum communications, sensitive sensors like gravitational wave detectors, and quantum computer designs.
In a significant advancement, the Bristol team has increased the speed of quantum light detectors by a factor of 10 while reducing the footprint by a factor of 50 by integrating photonics and electronics on a single chip. Despite their speed and compact size, these detectors remain highly sensitive, crucial for measuring quantum states accurately.
Dr. Giacomo Ferranti, one of the authors, emphasizes the importance of maintaining sensitivity to quantum noise in optical systems, as it reveals valuable information about the quantum light traveling within the system and enables precise measurements of quantum states.
Looking ahead, the researchers acknowledge the need for further research to enhance detector efficiency and explore diverse applications. They emphasize the importance of scalable fabrication of quantum hardware to realize the full potential of quantum technology.
In summary, the integration of the world’s smallest quantum light detector onto a silicon chip represents a significant advancement in quantum technology, with far-reaching implications for various fields and applications.
