Quantum Information Technologies (QITE)

Counter-intuitive properties of quantum mechanics (e.g. nonlocality and entanglement) may be used to design information processing and telecommunication protocols that, in some special cases, display substantial advantage with respect to their classical counterparts. The experimental efforts to exploit this possibility have already led to the emergence of quantum technologies: quantum devices devoted to specific tasks are now developed worldwide. The QITE team is a stakeholder in this effort.
Light is the natural carrier for the transmission of quantum information, while matter is better suited for its storage and handling. Both platforms are currently developed in the experiments performed by QITE team: we design and develop semiconductor sources of quantum correlated photons and laser-cooled trapped-ion devices. The team’s efforts are focused on the integration of these two device families on chip. The goal is double: 1) exploit these devices to practically implement quantum information protocols; 2) invent, explore and study new strategies and better understand fundamental questions related to quantum information. Concerning the realization of the devices, our research is closely connected to clean-room technological developments.
In parallel to the experimental axes, the QITE team has a theoretical activity that is positioned in a multidisciplinary context combining the study of fundamental aspects of entanglement to the invention/interpretation of new experimental approaches.