Cnr, chips that use light for quantum computing in orbit

The first two quantum photonic chips (processors that use light particles to perform quantum calculations) developed by the National Research Council are in orbit : the milestone was achieved thanks to the international collaboration involving the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology of the CNR, the University of Vienna, the Technical University of Munich, the German Space Agency (DLR) and other European partners. The two devices, built in the CNR-Ifn laboratories in Milan, are now in low Earth orbit (at about 520 kilometers above sea level) inside two separate satellites, launched on Monday 23 June with the same rocket from the Vandenberg space station in California. " Bringing a quantum processor into space requires a level of reliability never achieved before by integrated photonic technology ", observe Francesco Ceccarelli and Giacomo Corrielli, researchers at the CNR-Ifn. "We have designed optical chips that combine mechanical resistance and the ability to operate without human intervention , passing tests of vibration , shock , temperature excursions , and even exposure to highly ionizing radiation such as that which permeates space beyond the Earth's atmosphere." The modular and compact architecture of these devices has made it possible to meet the strict requirements of weight , energy consumption and reliability required by a satellite system. These days, researchers are fine-tuning communication with the two satellites and experimental measurements are planned shortly, which will explore, on the one hand, the potential of quantum computing in space as an autonomous platform for future missions; on the other, the study of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics in microgravity conditions to investigate the connection between these two physical theories. "With these two missions - comments Roberto Osellame, head of the research group - the CNR establishes itself as a supplier of enabling technologies for the use of quantum information in space, contributing to the progress of fundamental science and the opening of new application scenarios in the space context."