Join us for the next Francken Friday Lecture by Rick Beltman about Spin-active color centers in silicon carbide for use in quantum telecommunication. The lecture will take place on the 15th of March at 17.00 in the Franckenroom. Drinks and snacks are provided. We hope to see you there!

In the past few decades the world has become increasingly more digital and sensitive data, like private messages and bank information, is send via telecommunication channels. To prevent unwanted eavesdropping, the data is encrypted and continued effort is made to improving this encryption. in the future it might be possible to send data via an entangled photon. This would eliminate the ability of an outsider to eavesdrop, because the quantum state collapses when observed. However, sending these photons over long distances is challenging. The quantum state loses its quantum properties exponentially with distance due to interacting with their surroundings (quantum decoherence). To resolve this, a quantum analog to the classical amplifier was theorized.

This devices is called a quantum repeater and requires a form of quantum memory to operate. This quantum memory is the focus of our research. Rick will talk about his research into using color center defects in silicon carbide (SiC) as a candidate for this quantum memory. This will include their basic properties and why we chose to investigate SiC. Rick will also talk about how the lifetimes of these quantum states are measured and the application of photonic waveguides for future integrated devices.