Translating Quantum Technologies

Measurement of one photon from an entangled pair instantly changes the state of its sibling over any distance. While Albert Einstein disliked this "spooky" action, Erwin Schrödinger called it "the essence" of quantum physics. Most interestingly, far from being just a philosophical curiosity, entanglement has become an essential ingredient for novel information technology concepts including quantum communication, quantum cryptography, quantum teleportation and quantum computation. Presently, technological applications are impeded by the fact that the generation of pairs of entangled photons is basically restricted to the laboratory using optical tables and large optical mounts with many adjustment possibilities - far from being a simple and easy-to-handle tool. It is the purpose of the proposed project to design and develop dedicated, compact and robust sources of entangled photons for various applications. The most important ground-based applications are in the development of new devices to teach quantum phenomena in schools and universities, in ground-based quantum communication and quantum cryptography, and in quantum metrology and calibration. Another spin-off will be a source for single photons. Each of these possibilities has the potential of strong economic impact. For example, we continuously receive inquiries about the availability of small compact setups to teach quantum entanglement in schools and universities. Obviously, there is already a huge potential world market for this application alone. The most challenging goal is a source for a space-based quantum communication system within our present program in collaboration with the Austrian and the European Space Agencies to place such a source on a satellite. Our present project will provide a tested setup ready for developing space-qualified sources in collaboration with space industries in Europe.

Measurement of one photon from an entangled pair instantly changes the state of its sibling over any distance. While Albert Einstein disliked this "spooky" action, Erwin Schrödinger called it "the essence" of quantum physics. Most interestingly, far from being just a philosophical curiosity, entanglement has become an essential ingredient for novel information technology concepts including quantum communication, quantum cryptography, quantum teleportation and quantum computation. Presently, technological applications are impeded by the fact that the generation of pairs of entangled photons is basically restricted to the laboratory using optical tables and large optical mounts with many adjustment possibilities - far from being a simple and easy-to-handle tool. It is the purpose of the proposed project to design and develop dedicated, compact and robust sources of entangled photons for various applications. The most important ground-based applications are in the development of new devices to teach quantum phenomena in schools and universities, in ground-based quantum communication and quantum cryptography, and in quantum metrology and calibration. Another spin-off will be a source for single photons. Each of these possibilities has the potential of strong economic impact. For example, we continuously receive inquiries about the availability of small compact setups to teach quantum entanglement in schools and universities. Obviously, there is already a huge potential world market for this application alone. The most challenging goal is a source for a space-based quantum communication system within our present program in collaboration with the Austrian and the European Space Agencies to place such a source on a satellite. Our present project will provide a tested setup ready for developing space-qualified sources in collaboration with space industries in Europe.