ECE Professor at UBC Blusson QMI Collaborating to Advance Quantum Photonic Chip Technology

March 14, 2025

Original publication

A collaboration bringing together UBC Blusson QMI researchers with industry and government partners is set to accelerate research and commercialization of innovative photonic chips. With over $1 million in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the National Research Council Canada (NRC), the project aims to overcome key integration challenges in embedding quantum light sources into semiconductor-based platforms.

“During our previous work on spin-photon quantum computing, we found that photon loss is one of the biggest challenges for photonic-based quantum computing. Photons are precious, and once they are lost, the quantum information is gone,” said project lead and UBC Blusson QMI Investigator Lukas Chrostowski.

SEM image of the single photon sources being studied.

“Hence, our research and commercialization efforts are geared towards solving the problem of efficiently coupling light between different devices and materials. This is critical for quantum photonics, but also for data communications where reducing the optical losses will improve the energy efficiency of data centres.”

The project leverages quantum-dot nanowire light source technology invented at NRC and the hybrid silicon photonics integration technology used and developed at UBC. The commercialization effort will be led by the BC-based company Dream Photonics Inc.

Quantum light sources are essential for next-generation semiconductor and photonic chip technologies, but barriers for integration limits their scalability for industrial applications. The challenge lies in combining III-V semiconductor-based quantum emitters with the silicon platform widely used for electronics and photonics. Current methods struggle to achieve both efficiency and scalability, making a practical solution for deterministic single-photon sources an urgent priority.

Using the advanced equipment at UBC’s Advanced Nanofabrication Facility, Chrostowski and his team have developed a pioneering method for integrating lasers into photonic circuits, overcoming longstanding technical barriers.

“Our goal is to make the commercialization of plug-and-play quantum light sources a reality and simplify their integration with chips,” said Matthew Mitchell, project lead and Senior Scientist at Dream Photonics. “The project will pave the way for more cost-effective and practical applications in optical communication, quantum computing and sensing technology.”

This initiative supports Canada’s National Quantum Strategy (NQS), a federal effort to cement the country’s position as a leader in quantum innovation. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) supports the implementation of the NQS through funding opportunities that advance domestic multisectoral partnerships, the development of talent, and international collaborations in quantum research and innovation. The National Research Council Canada (NRC) supports the NQS through internal programs, interdepartmental projects, and collaborative research Challenge Programs, including the Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors Challenge Program (QSP).

Support provided through this joint initiative aims to reinforce, coordinate, and scale up Canada’s domestic research capabilities in quantum sensing science and technology through partnerships between university researchers, SMEs, the NRC, and other organizations from the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors.