SC455

The rules of quantum mechanics enable applications that are inherently more powerful than their classical counterparts. Quantum key distribution now makes it possible to transmit information with unconditional security; quantum simulation is beginning to address problems that are intractable on classical computers and quantum metrology techniques push the boundaries of precision measurements.

Many of these quantum technologies rely fundamentally on advanced photonics that place extremely demanding requirements on precision, efficiency and mode complexity. Over the past decade, new generations of photonic integrated circuits have been developed to begin to address these requirements.

This course will cover basic concepts and recent progress in photonic integrated circuits technology for quantum information processing, with a focus on two primary application areas: quantum communications — from quantum cryptography to entanglement distribution over quantum networks — and quantum computing, including analog and digital approaches. Motivated by these applications, the course will discuss nonclassical light sources, photonic interfaces with atomic memories, high-fidelity mode transformation circuits, nonlinear photonic quantum gates and waveguide-integrated single photon resolving detectors.

This course will enable you to:

• Describe a practical quantum key distribution system, estimate performance and identify central limitations
• Propose methods to extend the reach of quantum secure communications
• Describe the main classes of quantum communications
• Categorize the major areas of quantum computing
• Diagram quantum networks
• Design photonic integrated circuits for quantum key distribution and quantum repeaters

The course is designed for an audience interested in the key ideas and technology of photonic quantum communication and computation. It will probably be most valuable to participants who have some background in quantum information science or integrated optics and who want to better understand where the intersections of these fields and where the challenges and opportunities lie. The course should be useful for graduate students and industrial and academic researchers with an interest in applied photonic quantum technologies.

Dirk Englund received his BS in Physics from the California Institute of Technology in 2002. Following a Fulbright year at TU Eindhoven, he earned an MS in electrical engineering and a PhD in Applied Physics in 2008, both from Stanford University. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University until 2010, when he started his group as Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and of Applied Physics at Columbia University. In 2013, he joined the faculty of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research focuses on quantum technologies based on semiconductor and optical systems. Recent recognitions include the 2011 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the 2011 Sloan Research Fellowship in Physics, the 2012 DARPA Young Faculty Award, the 2012 IBM Faculty Award, a 2016 R&D100 Award, the OSA's 2017 Adolph Lomb Medal, the 2017 ACS Photonics Young Investigator Award and a 2018 Bose Research Fellowship.