Quantum Photonics
QuaMT-ITA activities in Quantum Photonics investigates optical quantum phenomena at the single-/few-photon level, such as coherence, entanglement and squeezing, to develop novel methods of measurement, sensing, and imaging.
Specific examples for activities activities in Quantum Photonics include:
- Traceability of measurement at the single photon level and development of novel quantumness quantifiers. Realization of new quantum light sources and detectors.
- Novel quantum-enhanced measurement techniques with photons exploiting, e.g. entanglement, weak interaction and weak measurement, etc.
- Metrology for quantum communications (in fiber and space)
- Quantum enhanced imaging
- Quantum sensors (e.g. magnetism, pressure and temperature) and novel light source based on color centers
- Study and realisation of nanophotonic structures by low dimensionality systems and metamaterials
Detail of the laser pumping system of single-photon confocal microscopes of the Laboratory for Photonic Technologies | ph. INRiM
Detail of the laser pumping system of single-photon confocal microscopes of the Laboratory for Photonic Technologies | ph. INRiM
Telecom single-photon detector characterization | ph: INRiM
Telecom single-photon detector characterization | ph: INRiM
Detail of the optical path of light pulses from a femtosecond laser in the single-photon entangled source laboratory. | ph: INRiM
Detail of the optical path of light pulses from a femtosecond laser in the single-photon entangled source laboratory. | ph: INRiM
Detail of a cryostat for characterization of NV color centers in diamond and other materials (Metrology for Quantum Sensing) | ph: INRiM
Detail of a cryostat for characterization of NV color centers in diamond and other materials (Metrology for Quantum Sensing) | ph: INRiM
Electron microscope image of a silicon nitride photonic device including grating coupler, waveguide and photonic cavity fabricated at the QR laboratory in INRiM. | ph: INRiM
Electron microscope image of a silicon nitride photonic device including grating coupler, waveguide and photonic cavity fabricated at the QR laboratory in INRiM. | ph: INRiM
Color centers in diamond & other suitable materials
In our labs, featuring four Single-photon-sensitive confocal microscopes, we study, in collaboration with University of Turin, the properties of color centers at room temperature and in cryogenic conditions (having demonstrated single-photon emission by novel centers related He, Sn, Pb, F, etc) hosted in diamond (VIS-NIR emission) or other materials such as e.g. SiC (IR-Telecom), contributing to the quest for the ideal, on-demand single-photon source (SPS) of practical interest in the emerging quantum technologies. We are actively involved in the efforts for the standardization of these quantum objects and we exploit the nonclassical properties of SPSs to perform quantum enhanced measurements.
In recent years, our research scope has broadened to include the sensing of magnetic field and temperature in biological systems exploiting the fact that NV centres are optically addressable and coherently controllable by microwaves even at room temperature and can be used as quantum sensors. We discovered that working in a “tranverse field regime” lead to an increase in the sensitivity of a temperature measurement. We are investigating the possibility of sensing magnetic field of biological origin and temperature changes related to physiological process inside the cell. We have measured temperature changes related to action potential propagation metabolic effects inside a single neuron and we are now extending these techniques.
Link:
https://quantum-optics.inrim.it/research/color-centers-in-diamond
Quantum Communication
The Quantum Communication research team develops techniques for testing of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) devices and technologies on real world fiber networks, for the realization of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) in Italy; the Italian Quantum Backbone, a 1800 km-long fiber infrastructure realized by INRiM for high-level time and frequency dissemination services and experiments, is now also used for QKD deployment as a testbed for innovative QKD protocols (as Twin-Field QKD) and applications (as QKD- protected time dissemination or metrology for QKD).
Link:
https://quantum-optics.inrim.it/research/quantum-cryptography
Quantum metrology for photonic technologies
The Quantum Photonics research team develops techniques and protocol for the realization of metrological facilities to develop quantum light sources and to provide traceable measurements of the key parameters of commercial quantum photonics components, testing both active and passive components (sources or detectors as SPADs and SNSPDs) for quantum communication, quantum metrology/sensing and quantum computing as well as assembled quantum devices such as e.g. QKD modules. These expertises and facilities are available to organisations, at the European and at international level. Furthermore, these facilities and expertises are supporting the European and International efforts of standardization of quantum technologies by active participation in standardisation committees.
Link:
https://quantum-optics.inrim.it/research/quantum-photonics-metrology
Quantum Imaging and Sensing
We have realized several “first” experimental demonstration of quantum imaging and sensing protocols: wide field sub shot noise imaging and microscopy without resorting to post-selection; quantum enhanced target detection in a preponderant background, known as ‘quantum illumination’; super-resolution fluorescence microscopy with photon antibunching from NV centers; absolute calibration of CCD cameras by quantum correlations; quantum reading and lossy channel discrimination. We also enjoy exploring possible real application of quantum inspired techniques, for example ‘ghost imaging
Link:
https://quantum-optics.inrim.it/research/quantum-imaging-and-sensing
Quantum enhanced measurements
The group contributes by developing cutting edge research activities in the context of optically based quantum enhance measurements and quantum sensors.
We develop and experimentally realize new quantum measurement paradigms in various regimes, from strong (projective) to “weak” (sequential weak measurements, protective measurement) characterized by peculiar properties overcoming the current limits of quantum measurements.
Furthermore, there is an extremely active research field aiming at developing quantum sensors exploiting fluorescence of the colour centres in (nano-)diamond, and a strong interest in developing quantum enhanced measurement systems exploiting quantum light in a variety of field ranging from quantum interferometry to quantum reading.
Link:
https://quantum-optics.inrim.it/research/measurement-paradigms-in-quantum-mechanics
Superconducting single photon detectors
The research team promotes the fabrication, development and characterization of superconducting single photon detectors, in particular Transition-edge sensors (TESs). In addition to taking care of their development and characterization, the sector is involved in various experiments aimed at using TES for low luminous flux calibrations in quantum metrology experiments, for the search for dark photons with which the nature of cold dark matter is investigated and for the detection of single electrons in fossil neutrino experiments.
Telecom single-photon detector characterization
Characterisation of single-mode fiber coupled (on/off) single photon detectors: detection efficiency, non-paralizable deadtime, dark counts. Characterisation of single-mode fiber coupled (on/off) single photon detectors (e.g. the ones based on InGaAs/InP-SPAD and SNSPD). Specifically: (a) traceable measurement of the detection efficiency at 1550 nm; (b) characterisation of dark count; (c) jitter (upon request, setup requires customisation). Setup for the characterisation of the polarization sensitivity of the detection efficiency under validation. Typical detectors should be SMF28 dingle mode fiber coupled. Wavelengths other than 1550 nm available on request. Detector should be free runnig. For gated detectors please contact us.
Service Type:
Measurement service, Calibration, Consultancy, Research collaboration, Training
R&D Area:
Quantum Communication, Quantum Metrology, Quantum Computation and Simulation
Target Users:
Industry, Academia, Public Institutions, Startups
Status:
Available
Contact Person:
i.degiovanni@inrim.it, m.gramegna@inrim.it, a.meda@inrim.it, s.virzi@inrim.it
VIS-NIR single-photon detector characterization
Characterisation of open air (on/off) single photon detectors (e.g. the ones based on Si-SPAD). Specifically: (a) traceable measurement of the detection efficiency at 850 nm; (b) characterisation of dark count; (c) jitter (upon request, setup requires customisation)
Service Type:
Measurement service, Calibration, Consultancy, Research collaboration, Training
R&D Area:
Quantum Communication, Quantum Computation and Simulation, Quantum Metrology
Target Users:
Industry, Academia, Public Institutions, Startups
Status:
Available
Contact Person:
i.degiovanni@inrim.it, m.gramegna@inrim.it, a.meda@inrim.it, s.virzi@inrim.it
Two-photon source characterisation
A setup for the characterisation of the polarization-encoded two-photon states is available at different wavelengths, either almost degenerate at 1560 nm, or non-degenarate around 810+1550 nm. The sources should be provided single-mode fiber-coupled. The characterisation might consist in (a) quantum state tomographic reconstruction; (b) Bell inequalities test; (c) Optimal test of non-classicality parameters (such as e.g. Negativity, Concurrence etc.) when the reconstructed states allow for. The measurement apparatus should be tailored to the costumer needs.
Service Type:
Measurement service, Calibration, Consultancy, Research collaboration, Training
R&D Area:
Quantum Communication, Quantum Computation and Simulation, Quantum Metrology
Target Users:
Industry, Academia, Public Institutions, Startups
Status:
Available
Contact Person:
a.avella@inrim.it, i.degiovanni@inrim.it, m.gramegna@inrim.it, f.piacentini@inrim.it
Investigations on possible information leakage in DV-QKD systems
Implementation of the security test of fiber based DV QKD receivers/single-photon detectors exploiting an OTDR. A portable dual-wavelength (1310 nm e 1550 nm) Single-Photon Optical-Time-Domain-Reflectometer (SP-OTDR) is available, which can be used to evaluate backflash emissions from single-photon detectors. The SP-OTDR can be used also to evaluate the effectiveness of the countermeasures of the QKD devices against Trojan-horse attacks injecting light in QKD systems. Wavelength: 1310 and 1550nm. Requirements of the device to be tested: single-mode fiber based DV-QKD receiver, and on-off single-photon detectors used in DV-QKD system at telecom.
Service Type:
Measurement service, Calibration, Consultancy, Research collaboration, Training
R&D Area:
Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing, Quantum Metrology
Target Users:
Industry
Status:
Available
Contact Person:
i.degiovanni@inrim.it, m.gramegna@inrim.it, a.meda@inrim.it, s.virzi@inrim.it
Sub-shot-noise microscope
INRIM sub-shot-noise microscope facility.
This facility is suitable making sub-shot noise imaging of weakly absorbing objects, i.e. transparent or quasi-transparent samples. Imaging can be carried on smaple of specific size and with minimsed optical losses. Customisation of the setup can be necessary. It is an horizontal microscope.
Service Type:
Research collaboration, Training
R&D Area:
Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing
Target Users:
Academia, Industry, Public Institutions, Startups
Status:
On Demand
Contact Person:
a.avella@inrim.it, i.ruoberchera@inrim.it
ODMR
Characterization facility for optical and quantum properties of color-center based quantum state (e.g. qubit). The tested properties include: photon count rate, optical spectral profile, photon antibunching (g(2)(0)), estimation of quantum coherence (T_2, T_2*).
Service Type:
Research collaboration, Training
R&D Area:
Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing
Target Users:
Academia, Industry, Public Institutions, Startups
Status:
On Demand
Contact Person:
i.degiovanni@inrim.it, m.gramegna@inrim.it, a.meda@inrim.it, s.virzi@inrim.it