Quantum Information and Communication

Project 3:

The promises of quantum computation and quantum communication have spurred a flurry of research activities worldwide. We take a broad approach to tackling the challenges involved and to exploring the possibilities offered.

Project leaders: Nicolas Gisin, Andreas Wallraff, and Richard J. Warburton

Members: Nicolas Brunner, Nicolas Gisin, Jonathan P. Home, Ataç Imamoglu, Patrick Maletinsky, Lukas Novotny, Renato Renner, Nicolas Sangouard, Christian Schönenberger, Philipp Treutlein, Matthias Troyer, Andreas Wallraff, Richard J. Warburton, Stefan Wolf, and Hugo Zbinden

Quantum mechanics provides a basis for encoding, processing and transferring information in ways that are fundamentally different from their classical counterparts. Bringing these new concepts into praxis should lead, for example, to absolutely secure communication devices and to computing devices that are fundamentally faster at solving certain important tasks than conventional computers.

The goal of this project is to develop small-scale quantum systems that can be coupled to one another and to employ them for quantum information processing and quantum communication. We use a wide range of technological platforms, from trapped ions and Josephson junctions, through hybrid architectures interfacing solid-state systems with photons, atoms or ions, to novel single-photon detectors. These efforts are complemented by theoretical work on fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics and on fresh approaches to computation and communication.

More specifically, we develop new quantum algorithms based on a deeper understanding of quantum correlations and implement concepts such as quantum error correction and noise protection on prototype quantum processors. In parallel we work towards methods to improve the creation, storage and detection of quantum states of light and build interfaces between light and quantum systems in solids. Moreover, we design novel quantum-communication devices that offer high bit rates, high security and simplicity of use.