Quantum-Memory Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (QWDM)

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a contract from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop integrated optical frequency shifters to enable Quantum-memory Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (QWDM).

PSI’s approach will enable the connection of multiple quantum memory registers across a free-space or fiber optical channel, increasing the bandwidth of near-term quantum networks by 10–100×. As many optical quantum memories operate at a single wavelength, we cannot readily apply wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) techniques to increase the bandwidth of a quantum link. To overcome this challenge, PSI will utilize high-efficiency frequency shifters at the transmitter to shift the output photon from each quantum-memory register within a memory unit onto a separate wavelength channel, which can then be combined using WDM techniques. These results, in conjunction with an architecture-design that can efficiently shift and route photons between quantum memory registers, will pave the way for the creation of highly-scalable quantum networks using QWDM.

The development of quantum communications and networks are key technologies to enable secure communication, sensor arrays, and quantum computer networks. PSI’s technology will enable wavelength-division multiplexing for quantum communications and networking, greatly increasing the bandwidth of free-space or fiber links for quantum memories as well as for single- and entangled-photon sources.

Doppler-Compensated Integrated Photonic Time-Bin Entanglement Transceiver

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a research program from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop a Doppler-compensated Integrated Photonic Time-bin Entanglement Transceiver using a photonic integrated circuit platform. This transceiver will become a standardized component that will facilitate the exploration of quantum-entanglement applications both terrestrially and for space-based missions.

A quantum network based on quantum entanglement is a potentially revolutionary technology with anticipated applications, such as “blind” quantum computing and secure communications, as well as a host of yet-to-be-discovered uses. To realize the true potential of quantum entanglement, scientists and engineers need standardized and reliable hardware to transmit and receive entangled quantum states of light. A key component of this network will be entanglement distributions transceivers. Placing such transceivers within a satellite-based network—which is capable of long-distance networking—represents a major milestone for the development of quantum information technologies. Consequently, such components will be low size, weight, and power (SWaP) to be compatible with satellite transmission.

PSI’s transceiver technology is well-suited for space-based quantum communications, simultaneously having low size, weight, and power requirements while being specifically designed for the challenges of satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground quantum entanglement distribution. In addition to serving as a test platform for NASA’s quantum information research, these transceiver modules will be key components for future NASA missions that may include space-based quantum networking. The transceiver modules could also be added to augment next-generation satellites with quantum capabilities. In addition, this time-based technology, which operates at telecommunication wavelengths, is well-matched to fiber-based quantum networks.

Phase-Stable Interferometric Time-bin Entanglement (PSITE)

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a research program from the U.S. Air Force to develop an on-chip Phase Stable Interferometric Time-bin Entangled (PSITE) transceiver

Quantum networking using quantum entanglement is a potentially revolutionary technology with both anticipated application, such as blind quantum computing and secure communications, as well as a host of yet-to-be-discovered uses. To discover such game-changing applications and to reveal the true potential of quantum entanglement, scientist and engineers need standardized and reliable hardware to transmit and receive entangled quantum states of light. While demonstrating standardized devices is of the upmost importance, new technology should improve upon existing demonstrations. One of the largest challenges revealed for single-photon-based networking is successfully transmitting complex entangled states.

To address this challenge, PSI and its university team will combine three key innovations. First, to use time-bin encoding to greatly increase the dimensionality of entangled states while simultaneously reducing the impact of losses. Second, to leverage commercially available photonic integrated circuit platform that can provide nearly all of the needed functionality directly on a chip. Third, to design the devices to be phase-stable using active feedback to make the resulting chips scalable to higher dimensionality entangled states. This approach will result in a Phase Stable Interferometric Time-bin Entangled (PSITE) transceiver that will facilitate exploring quantum-entanglement applications.

PSI’s PSITE transceivers developed under this program will become a standardized component for time-bin entanglement generation. These highly mass-producible, robust devices will not only enable anticipated applications such as blind quantum computing, quantum networking, and secure communications, but these devices will enable engineers and researchers to explore new applications that harness the unique features of quantum entanglement.

Photonic Integrated Circuit for Compact Atomic-Raman Devices (PICCARD)

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a research program from the Naval Air Warfare Center to develop integrated photonic devices for quantum measurement applications. The technology developed within this program will dramatically reduce the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of the optical system required for atom-based sensor applications by several order of magnitude.

Quantum inertial measurements of accelerations and rotations can provide the sensitivity and accuracy required for even the highest performance inertial navigation applications, however, the complexity and SWaP requirements of the associated optical bench exceed practical limits for portable inertial navigation systems (INS). To overcome this challenge, PSI will develop the Photonic Integrated Circuits for Compact Atomic-Raman Devices (PICCARD) platform. This platform will leverage advanced photonic-integrated circuits to provide direct control of light on-chip at the native visible and near infrared wavelengths of atomic transitions.

The devices produced within this program will enable chip-scale atom-based inertial sensors. These sensors can enable widely-deployable navigation systems with long-term stability in GPS-denied environments. As the key component of inertial navigation systems, these chips will enable a mass-producible solution to a host of DoD core missions, from aircraft navigation to autonomous vehicles. This technology will also be adaptable to quantum optics, metrology, bio-sensing, and bio-medicine.