Space, the first photonic chips that use light for quantum computing are 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 reached thanks to an international collaboration involving the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnologies 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 an altitude of about 520 kilometers) 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,” explain Francesco Ceccarelli and Giacomo Corrielli , researchers at 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. In these days the researchers are fine-tuning the communication with the two satellites and the experimental measurements will soon begin, 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".