Prof. Dr. Michael Kues, head of the Institute of Photonics at Leibniz University Hannover and board member of the PhoenixD Cluster of Excellence, had applied for the now-approved research project ePINTOS – Development of integrated quantum optical systems for generation and manipulation. The researchers plan to develop quantum optical systems in the form of photonic integrated circuits that can connect to existing optical fibre cables, thereby enabling the exchange of quantum-based keys via the internet. They guarantee secure encryption and thus secure data transfer that even the most powerful quantum computers cannot decipher. ‘It is already foreseeable today that the encryption techniques and algorithms currently in use will no longer be secure in the near future,’ says Kues, project manager of ePINTOS. ‘However, companies and authorities need secure encryption technology for the operation of critical infrastructures such as hospitals, payment transactions or energy systems.’
Laboratory experiments successful – mass production planned
Quantum key exchange has been successfully demonstrated in laboratory experiments and has enormous potential for applications. ‘To bring quantum cryptography into widespread use in the medium term, we need to develop photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that are suitable for cost-effective series production,’ says Kues. ‘The aim is to integrate the optical components required for data encryption into PICs. Within the PINTOS research network, the researchers plan to create a corresponding prototype.’
The ePINTOS research project is designing integrated quantum optical systems. In addition, the team members analyse the requirements for the individual components in terms of their quantum optical properties. This includes the production of customised micro-optics for low-loss light coupling between the quantum optical integrated circuit (PIC) and the fibre optic periphery.
Additive manufacturing of micro-optics
The micro-optics are additively manufactured in ePINTOS using the innovative two-photon polymerisation (2PP) process. 2PP is a direct laser writing process for three-dimensional structures with high resolution in the subwavelength range. The process has proven to be a promising solution for integrated photonics assembly. ‘We researched the 2PP process in the PhoenixD Cluster of Excellence and now want to test it in practical use in ePINTOS,’ says Kues. Compared to conventional manufacturing processes, the researchers anticipate that the 2PP process will offer significantly greater design freedom and lower manufacturing complexity.
The state of Lower Saxony and the European Union, through its European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), fund the three-year research project. Kues has taken over the management of the project.
PINTOS research network consists of four sub-projects
The ePINTOS research project, led by Michael Kues from the Institute of Photonics at Leibniz University Hannover, is part of the PINTOS innovation network. This research network comprises several sub-projects and various project partners, including cPINTOS – Institute for Semiconductor Technology at the Technical University of Braunschweig, aPINTOS – Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V., and mPINTOS – Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Leibniz University Hannover is responsible for coordinating the PINTOS network.
Industry partners benefit from research results
Various cooperation partners are involved in the ePINTOS research project and are already benefiting from the industry-oriented research approach during the project period. The research results obtained have considerable potential for industrial transfer to the economy of Lower Saxony. Companies in Lower Saxony that are directly or indirectly part of the value chain in the production of quantum optical systems can benefit immediately from the results of the innovation network.
Companies interested in cooperation should contact Prof. Dr. Michael Kues directly.
