Projects funded by federal ministries
When a sufficient number of quantum particles are interconnected, quantum computers can handle tasks that are unsolvable for classical computers. This – among other unique selling points – is a major advantage of photonic platforms: Integrated architectures and sophisticated manufacturing processes offer an enormous scaling potential. The aim of the PhoQuant joint project is to develop a purely photonic quantum computer, based on Gaussian Boson Sampling (GBS), with at least 20 (after 2.5 years) or 100 (after 5 years) individually controllable channels. In addition to the development of a programmable GBS QC demonstrator with application-relevant algorithms, the implementation of a user interface as an interface for industrial and academic users is in the foreground.
In the subproject Quantum Computing Test Platform (PhoQuant-QCTest), essential components, including an optimized integrated squeezed light source and functionalities such as coherent displacement and homodyne detection, and algorithms for the demonstrator will be developed. Furthermore, an experimental test platform will be provided to test the developed components and algorithms under realistic conditions before transferring them to the demonstrator. The components developed by project partners based on the new material system thin-film lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) will also be evaluated with the help of the test platform. New and known GBS QC algorithms are verified by means of information-theoretical complexity investigations.
Seven research groups of the Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems (PhoQS) with complementary expertise are performing the subproject PhoQuant-QCTest.
The joint project PhoQuant is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the period from 01.01.2022 to 31.12.2026 and combines the expertise of 14 partners from academia and industry.
Further information can be found here.
Scientific contact:
Prof. Dr. Christine Silberhorn
Quantum technologies will have a transformative impact on our society; in particular, quantum computing, which uses the fundamental quantum mechanical effect of entanglement. This leads to a highly efficient computation of tasks that cannot be performed by a classical Computer in realistic time. Together with superconducting quantum states (qubits), photons are the only platforms that have already demonstrated such a quantum advantage.
However, quantum photonics will only live up to its expectations as a breakthrough technology if it is integrated in a scalable way. The solution lies in quantum photonic integrated one-way quantum computing circuits, in which entangled photon cluster states are used to encode and process quantum information on a compact photonic circuit.
In this project, Paderborn University will realize an integrated photonic circuit, which, thanks to ultra-fast integrated modulators and cryogenic cryogenic electronics, allows this feed-forward operation. Thanks to the thin-film lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) platform, which features a large electro-optical effect, low transmission losses in a wide wavelength range, as well as strong nonlinearity, it is possible to realize all qubit manipulation operations of a one-way quantum computer on a single material platform. The simultaneous connection of all one-way quantum computing devices on a single material platform ensure a high degree of compatibility and enables efficient scalability. The Paderborn University is thus developing the core technology for the realization of the first scalable, integrated one-way quantum computing demonstrator QPIC-1.
In the term from September 12, 2021, to August 31, 2025, the project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Further information can be found on the BMBF project page.
Project qp-tech.edu is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and is comprised of a consortium of four German universities (Erlangen, Jena, Paderborn, Ulm). Its aim is to provide educational support for the quantum computing and photonics industries in Germany. The role of Paderborn University, in particular, is to bring Computer Science expertise to the table, in order to produce educational content in quantum computation tailored specifically for industry partners.
If your organization would like to be involved in workshops hosted by Paderborn University for this initiative, or would like access to such quantum computing training materials, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Sevag Gharibian at sevag.gharibian@upb.de.
Other links:
Central webpage for project, hosted by Jena:
https://www.acp.uni-jena.de/qp-tech-edu
BMBF webpage for project: