Generate, manipulate and control quantum entanglement using tunable alldielectric metasurfaces

Project Summary: Generation and control of quantum entanglement using tunable dielectric metasurfaces

As the computing landscape continues to evolve, remarkable achievements in integration and performance have been realized. The relentless pursuit of faster, more powerful computing systems has led to sophisticated hardware and software innovations. However, these advancements come at a significant cost: energy dissipation, which contributes to environmental concerns and raises questions about the sustainability of traditional computing paradigms.

In response to these challenges, photonic computing emerges as a promising alternative, leveraging light rather than electrical signals to perform computations. This approach not only has the potential to increase processing speed but also significantly reduce energy consumption. Nevertheless, one of the critical obstacles in photonic computing is the lack of reliable mechanisms to generate, control and detect single photons.

In this project, housed under the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) within the Quantum Technologies theme, we will explore how dielectric metasurfaces can be employed for computations at the single-photon level. The leading student will focus on innovative methods to modulate and route integrated optical signals to functional metasurfaces and employ their characteristics for information processing.

The research will investigate various active charge-based approaches to modulate tune and reconfigure individual meta-atoms, emphasizing their potential to enhance the performance and efficiency of integrated photonic systems. These methods are expected to enable more effective control over light propagation within nano-photonic circuits, leading to improvements in signal integrity and reduced energy loss.

The exploration of these mechanisms will involve both theoretical modeling and experimental validation, fostering a deeper understanding of their operational principles and practical applications.

Additionally, the outcomes of this research will have far-reaching implications beyond photonic computing. The techniques developed could be applied to a wide array of technologies that rely on optical signal processing, including telecommunications, data centers, and advanced computing architectures. By facilitating the seamless integration of photonic elements into existing electronic frameworks, the project aims to pave the way for the next generation of high-performance computing systems that are not only faster but also more environmentally sustainable.