Theoretical investigation of hybrid approaches to quantum information processing and quantum communication utilizing both discrete and continuous quantum variables

• Applicant: Professor Peter van Loock, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: from 2007 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 38601274

Quantum information is a relatively young area of interdisciplinary research. One of its main goals is to combine the principles of quantum physics and information theory. Apart from its conceptual importance, quantum information may lead to real-world applications for communication (“quantum communication”) and computation (“quantum computation”) by exploiting quantum properties such as the superposition principle and entanglement. Quantum optics is a more traditional field in which light is described via quantum theory, leading to, for instance, optical modes in superposition states of different photon numbers.The goal of our project is to propose feasible implementations of quantum information protocols. More specifically, these protocols either represent potential realizations of quantum communication or they lead to the implementation of small-scale quantum information processing (quantum computing). The toolbox used for the implementations is provided by quantum optics, where light represents the most convenient medium for communication and atomic systems may be added for storing and processing information. The hybrid approach pursued in our project aims at utilizing both discrete and continuous quantum variables for encoding, processing, and extracting information.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups