Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
Making quantum mechanics versatile
One of the most amazing laws of quantum physics is that elementary particles can assume several states simultaneously by superposition and that two entangled particles always carry exactly complementary information, even when they are spatially separated. Quantum technology can control these phenomena, thus making them usable.
This means that qubits in quantum computers can take on not only the values 0 and 1 but any combination of both values by superimposing them. Each additional qubit doubles the computing power. As a result, these computers are capable of the most demanding computing tasks. Some of them are based directly on photonics, while others rely on lasers as a massless and contactless high-precision tool in component manufacturing. Fraunhofer ILT is involved in development projects on various technological paths towards quantum computing.
Quantum communication uses entangled quanta for absolutely secure data transmission that cannot be manipulated from the outside. This has already been achieved with laser technology from Fraunhofer ILT via a fiber optic network between nodes in The Hague and Delft, in the Netherlands. Another node of this quantum internet is currently being built in Aachen.
Entanglement also opens up new possibilities in imaging, sensor and measurement technology. For example, quantum optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides precise insights into body tissue or ceramics. Photons of different wavelengths are entangled using lasers and non-linear optics. The measurement of one photon is sufficient to know the state of the second. This enables the use of optimal wavelengths for the respective applications. Fraunhofer ILT focuses on these future fields and provides know-how for research and development projects with various industry and research partners.
