PASQAL, a French quantum computing company, has partnered with Sorbonne Université, Pixel Photonics GmbH, The Institute of Photonic Sciences, and Institut d’Optique Théorique et Appliquée to develop a photonic quantum computer powered by neutral atom technology. The project, funded by the European Innovation Council, aims to use light as the carrier of quantum information, a method known as continuous variable quantum computing. The consortium will build the foundations of a photonic quantum computer through the interaction between light and a specially ordered assembly of neutral atoms. The technology could enable the creation of exotic states of light with unprecedented efficiency.
“As leaders in neutral atoms quantum processing, we are excited to be part of this consortium. Innovations to our technology will help push forward quantum computing, together with experts in photonics. We are convinced that our atoms, provided by nature, will be optimal in this undertaking,”
Loïc Henriet, CTO at PASQAL.
Quantum Computing Collaboration Announced
A collaboration has been announced between PASQAL, a company specialising in neutral atoms quantum computing, and several European institutions. These include Sorbonne Université in France, Pixel Photonics GmbH in Germany, The Institute of Photonic Sciences in Spain, and Institut d’Optique Théorique et Appliquée in France. The aim of the collaboration is to develop the foundations for a photonic quantum computer powered by neutral atom technology. The project will be funded by the Pathfinder-2023 challenge grant of the European Innovation Council.
The collaboration will be coordinated by the Multimode Quantum Optics group at Sorbonne Université. The team will utilise the power of neutral atoms to develop a quantum processor that uses light as the carrier of quantum information. This approach, known as continuous variable quantum computing, relies on the wave-like nature of light rather than discrete quantum bits associated with particle behaviour.
Light has the ability to carry large amounts of information over long distances with low loss rates, and can operate at room temperature. These properties make light a suitable candidate for scalable quantum computers. However, photons, the particles of light, do not naturally interact with each other, which presents a challenge when building quantum processing units, as interactions are required to carry out operations and create quantum circuits.
The PANDA Consortium and Photonic Quantum Computing
The PANDA consortium aims to build the foundations of a photonic quantum computer through the interaction between quanta of light, or photons, and a specially ordered assembly of neutral atoms. PASQAL’s architecture uses highly focused lasers, known as optical tweezers, to manipulate neutral atoms and arrange them in 2D and 3D arrays of any configuration.
The consortium will develop a technique that enables the manufacture of exotic states of light with unprecedented efficiency. This will be achieved by combining their expertise in engineering and studying both atomic ensemble and quantum light. The consortium will also combine novel high-efficiency light detection with advances in nano-photonics to develop the building blocks of photonic quantum computing.
The Role of the Consortium Partners
Sorbonne Université is a French university dedicated to intensive and multidisciplinary research. The Multimode Quantum Optics group of Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, led by Prof. Nicolas Treps and Dr. Valentina Parigi, has pioneered many aspects of quantum optics.
The Institute of Photonic Sciences is a Spanish institute specialising in frontier photonics research. The Theoretical Quantum Nanophotonics Group, led by Prof. Darrick Chang, has significant expertise in proposing novel platforms for quantum atom-light interfaces.
Pixel Photonics GmbH is a German nanophotonics company founded in 2021. The company’s technology ranges from optical quantum computing, quantum key distribution, and microscopy to metrology and sensing.
Institut d’Optique Théorique et Appliquée is a French institute that brings together all activities related to photonics. The Quantum Optics group at IOTA, led by Prof. Antoine Browaeys and Dr. Igor Ferrier-Barbut, is a leader in the physics of highly-controlled arrays of individual neutral atoms.
PASQAL: A Quantum Computing Company
PASQAL is a French Quantum Computing company that builds quantum processors from ordered neutral atoms in 2D and 3D arrays. The company was founded in 2019, out of the Institut d’Optique, by Georges-Olivier Reymond, Christophe Jurczak, Professor Dr. Alain Aspect, Nobel Prize Laureate Physics, 2022, Dr. Antoine Browaeys, and Dr. Thierry Lahaye. PASQAL has secured more than €140 million in financing to date.
The Future of Quantum Computing
The collaboration between these institutions and PASQAL represents a significant step in developing quantum computing. Using light as a carrier of quantum information presents a promising approach to scalable quantum computing. However, the challenge of enabling photons to interact with each other remains a significant hurdle to overcome. The work of the PANDA consortium will be crucial in addressing this challenge and advancing the field of quantum computing.
“Providing a toolbox for the deterministic creation of exotic states of light will enable new and exciting quantum computing schemes. We are thrilled to provide the necessary innovation in photon detection to enable this new and exciting approach.”
Wladick Hartmann, CTO Pixel Photonics
“This project is very exciting scientifically, as it addresses one of the main bottlenecks of the otherwise very promising platform of quantum computing with non-classical light,” says Nicolas Treps, Professor at Sorbonne Université, Multimode Quantum Optics group, and coordinator of the project.
Summary
PASQAL, in collaboration with several European institutions, is developing the foundations for a photonic quantum computer using neutral atom technology, a project funded by the European Innovation Council. The consortium aims to overcome the challenge of photon interaction, crucial for quantum processing units, by using a specially ordered assembly of neutral atoms manipulated by highly focused lasers.
- French quantum computing company, PASQAL, has announced a partnership with Sorbonne Université, Pixel Photonics GmbH, The Institute of Photonic Sciences, and Institut d’Optique Théorique et Appliquée.
- The collaboration aims to develop the foundations of a photonic quantum computer using neutral atom technology.
- The project is funded by the Pathfinder-2023 challenge grant of the European Innovation Council.
- The consortium will use the power of neutral atoms to develop a quantum processor that uses light as the carrier of quantum information, a promising approach known as continuous variable quantum computing.
- The PANDA consortium aims to build the foundations of a photonic quantum computer through the interaction between quantum of light—or photons— with a specially ordered assembly of neutral atoms.
- PASQAL uses highly focused lasers called optical tweezers to manipulate neutral atoms and arrange them in 2D and 3D arrays of any configuration.
- The technique under development by the consortium will enable them to manufacture exotic states of light with unprecedented efficiency by combining their expertise in engineering and studying both atomic ensemble and quantum light.
- The project is coordinated by the Multimode Quantum Optics group at Sorbonne Université, with key individuals including Loïc Henriet, CTO at PASQAL, Wladick Hartmann, CTO Pixel Photonics, and Nicolas Treps, Professor at Sorbonne Université.