New ERC Synergy Project to Pave the Way for Future Photonic Quantum Technology

A new research project supported by the ERC Synergy program aims to bring us closer to a new generation of quantum technology, where light – in the form of photons – takes center stage. The project brings together experts from the University of Copenhagen, the University of Basel, and Ruhr University Bochum in a joint effort to develop photonic quantum hardware capable of generating entangled photons on demand.

Two of the four principal investigators are Anders Søndberg Sørensen and Peter Lodahl from the Niels Bohr Institute, both of whom have played a central role in advancing quantum optics and photonic quantum information. Their expertise in quantum dots and quantum mechanical light-matter interaction is crucial to the success of the project.

At the heart of the project is the use of quantum dots – tiny semiconductor structures that can emit single photons. When controlled with precise laser fields and combined with advanced optical nanostructures, these quantum dots can produce strongly entangled photon states, which are essential resources for quantum information technology. This technology has the potential to solve problems that are impossible with today’s classical systems.

Modular and scalable technology

The chosen approach is both modular and scalable, meaning the technology can be expanded to larger quantum processors simply by adding more high-quality photon sources. This makes the project particularly promising for future quantum computers and communication systems.

The researchers will develop quantum dots and nanostructures with unprecedented precision and quality. The goal is to create on-demand quantum states with up to ten entangled photons, which can serve as modular building blocks for more complex quantum information systems.

The project will also demonstrate how these technologies can be scaled up in practice – a key step toward fully functional quantum information processors.

This ambitious project will lay the foundation for a new era of quantum technology, where light is used to process information in ways we are only beginning to understand.