SINPHOSS

We are developing an innovative optical measurement technology that makes use of the highly accurate detection of individual photons. For this purpose, we build novel quantum detectors. Our single photon detectors are based on an extremely thin wire that becomes superconducting at low temperatures. To determine the timing of an incoming light particle very precisely, we are also working on electronics capable of detecting electrical signals with an accuracy of a few hundred femtoseconds in the form of an integrated electronic circuit using state-of-the-art semiconductor technology.

QSAMIS

In the QSAMIS project a compact quantum key distribution (QKD) system running at record-high secret key rates is developed. Fast parallelised data transfer is achieved by wavelength-multiplexing and rapid modulation on the sender photonic integrated chip and superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) on the receiver chip. While Pixel photonics is responsible for the design and fabrication of the receiver module, we at Heidelberg University design the sender chip and the electrical interface.

QuNet+RECONNAITRE

This project aims to develop and investigate a complexity reduced high efficiency single photon receiver for quantum key distribution (QKD), which can be used in a variety of applications. Heidelberg University will realize and characterize an on-chip system with 16 detector elements for single- and multi- mode single-photon high system efficiency detection using NbGe waveguide-integrated SNSPDs. High system detection efficiency shall be achieved by optimizing the devices geometry, film deposition and fabrication procedure.

SPINNING

The joint venture “Spinning” will develop a scalable and universal quantum computer that is characterized by a unique networked and hybrid design that offers unprecedented connectivity and flexible configurability. The quantum computer is based on spin qubits in diamond. With the planned architecture, we combine three key advantages of a solid-state spin system: excellent quantum control, ultra-long coherence time and strong spin-photon coupling.

HybridQToken

This project's goal is to realize hybrid quantum photonic memory-circuits on-chip based on long-lived nuclear spins of SiV⁻. Full control of the emitter with the simultaneous possibility to reconfigure the photonic circuit (cavity) where the source is integrated, will be obtained. An efficient interface between light and matter - a hybrid quantum circuit - enables a previously unachieved and simplified control of quantum memory (the array of memory units). This will ensure efficient state preparation, manipulation, and scalable readout state transmission via photons.

HYPHONE

In the HYPHONE project, novel photonic chips will be tightly integrated with proven electronic chips. This results in matrix vector multiplication hardware with currently unmatched figures in throughput, latency and energy consumption. One of the many immediate fields of applications is autonomous driving, where vast amounts of optical data must be processed in real-time. The project will be carried out in close cooperation with Salience Labs.

uTP4Q

The uTP4Q project aims to develop a uniform platform for quantum photonic integrated circuits (QPICs) needed for complex applications like quantum communication. Heidelberg University will develop membrane-based chiplets with integrated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) which can be integrated into hybrid quantum photonic circuits by means of micro-transfer printing.

Hybrid 3D

In the field of optical neuromorphic computing, one unsolved question is the one of the optimal material platform to realize photonic integrated circuits.
In order to circumvent this question and profit from the advantages of multiple materials, micro 3D printing is used to combine different material platforms. In the course of this project a low-loss 3D printed photonic interconnection between two chips should be realized.

Silicon Actuator

The main objective of this project is to implement an electrochemically driven optical solid-state multi-layer actuator onto a photonic chip and characterize its optical properties as well as the capability to modulate light propagation through a silicon waveguide.

PHOENICS

By switching to the optical domain and nanophotonic circuits, PHOENICS will set a new paradigm in artificial intelligence and neuromorphic computing.

The PHOENICS architecture is based on the hybrid integration approach of three different chip platforms: optical input generation in silicon nitride signal encoding, modulation in indium-phosphidneuromorphic processing, and detection in silicon. 

Phemtronics

The EU-funded PHEMTRONICS project is exploiting plasmonic phase-change materials (PCMs) in novel reconfigurable and tunable adaptive devices for applications in all sorts of optoelectronics from smart phones and displays to optical computing.