Canada’s NSERC Awards Combined Investment of $1 Million to Professor Morandotti at INRS for Research in Quantum Communication and Quantum Cryptography

(FinanceYahoo) The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has awarded Professor Roberto Morandotti, a professor at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), more than $800,000 to fund two research projects in quantum communication and in quantum cryptography. The first project also benefits from a $215,157 contribution from Prompt and the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec.
Professor Morandotti is interested in quantum communications networks made up of local nodes. These connection points generate photons that are used to transport information. The quantum properties of these light particles allow them to travel long distances along an optical fiber between local nodes.
Two central obstacles slow the development of this promising technology: the loss of photons and the lack of robust interconnects between local nodes. Professor Morandotti will collaborate with OptoElectronic Components Inc (OEC), an industry partner, to overcome these obstacles.
Together, they will develop robust, low-loss interconnects between integrated waveguide-based photonic chips and standard optical fibers. Professor Morandotti made it clear that “This is a crucial step toward the commercialization of fiber-based quantum secure communication that will help Canada maintain its position as a leading player in the field.”
Teams of university and industry researchers from Britain will also collaborate by simultaneously developing photonic chips.