A small device that can fit in the palm of a hand could revolutionize quantum optics research and the future of data security. The device is a source of polarized entangled photons, developed by Rolf Horn, a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC).
A quantum source for entangled photons isn’t a new idea. Research labs around the world have had them for over 30 years. But traditional quantum photon sources are large, cumbersome, and finicky to align and maintain. This new device takes what is typically the size of a desk and miniaturizes it to the size of a pen. It will make quantum research more efficient by providing a simple way of producing entangled photons.
The Waterloo Commercialization Office (WatCo), working in partnership with Horn, has filed a patent application on the quantum source technology. Khosrow Modarressi, technology transfer officer at WatCo, worked with Horn and his team to successfully secure more than $250,000 in commercialization funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Ontario Centers of Excellence, and the National Research Council to fund the development of commercially relevant prototypes that will be marketed to potential licensees or start-up company investors.
“This device is inspirational because it will accelerate quantum inventions and commercialization at IQC and around the world,” says Raymond Laflamme, executive director at IQC and mentor to Horn. “We’re at the beginning of an era, for IQC and society as a whole, as we start to see the germination of quantum innovations that are ripe for commercialization, and we’re very proud that all of the work to develop this device was done at IQC.”
The photons produced by the device are extremely fragile which, in quantum terms, makes them very secure. When used in quantum cryptography, the entangled photons provide a way to “see” if someone is trying to intercept data transmissions. As soon as a hacker attempts to look at the photons, the entanglement collapses – a unique feature of quantum mechanics. This quantum effect is being used today for secure Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). This new device could lead to QKD on small systems like mobile devices.
“Rolf’s pre-aligned, robust, and significantly smaller device fixes a huge flaw in the process of producing entangled photons for quantum research, which will save months of time and work,” says Thomas Jennewein, associate professor at IQC. Jennewein contributed his expertise on entangled photons to the development of the device and believes there are hundreds of quantum research groups that could benefit from the invention.
“This invention could improve security dramatically from anything that’s available today,” says Horn. “Data could be encrypted with keys created by this quantum source and you would be notified if someone tried to look at this key so you could stop sending sensitive information immediately.”
For further information, please contact Khosrow Modarressi.