Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF
In the project “QuoAlA”, researchers at Fraunhofer IAF are working on compact on-chip sources for entangled photons, which are a crucial component for the realization of quantum technological applications, such as high-precision sensor technology and secure quantum communication.
The focus is on fundamental research of AlGaAs-based photon sources and their epitaxial manufacturing. The goal is to produce photon pairs with a high quality of entanglement at an exactly defined wavelength. The target wavelength is 1550 nm, which is within the telecom range(1500-1600 nm). For this purpose, the researchers rely on the extensive expertise of Fraunhofer IAF in epitaxy as well as process technology for the realization of waveguide structures in various III-V semiconductor materials.
The semiconductor material AlGaAs has nonlinear properties. In a material with nonlinear properties, a photon can spontaneously split into two photons at high light intensity due to an optical effect. Such light particle pairs can be quantum mechanically entangled. Furthermore, AlGaAs Bragg reflection waveguides allow the integration of other optical and electronic components on chip level and offer the potential for an especially compact design.
The project “QuoAlA” is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the framework program of the Federal Government “Quantum technologies—from basic research to market” as “WiVoPro” (Scientific Preliminary Project) (FKZ: 13N15480).