We got an ERC starting grant to work on QUNNECT: A Fiber Optic Transceiver for Superconducting Qubits.

Many researchers are convinced that superconducting quantum processors will soon help solve complex problems faster, improve optimization and simulation, and boost the progress in artificial intelligence. A worldwide quantum web is the next logical step. It would not only improve communication security, it represents the key to unlock the full potential of the new quantum-computing paradigm.

Unfortunately, research in optical quantum networks and superconducting devices has progressed largely independently so far. While superconducting qubits are ideally suited for on-chip integration and fast processing, they are problematic for quantum communication. Only just now we have gained sufficient insight into low loss materials, the required fabrication technology, and the precision measurement techniques necessary to bridge the two worlds.

We will integrate silicon photonics for low-loss fiber optic communication with superconducting circuits for quantum processing on a single microchip. As intermediary transducer we will focus on two approaches: (1) quantum ground state cooled nanoscale mechanical and (2) low-loss electro-optic nonlinear circuit elements. One novelty of our approach is the tight on-chip integration which will be the key for realizing a low-loss and high-bandwidth transceiver, for preparing remote entanglement of superconducting qubits, and for extending the range of current fiber optic quantum networks.