38. Quantum Information Science (QIS) Supporting Technologies Maximum Phase I Award Amount: $200,000 Maximum Phase II Award Amount: $1,100,000 Accepting SBIR Phase I Applications: YES Accepting STTR Phase I Applications: YES Quantum science and instrumentation for next-generation computing, information, and other fields the core of "quantum information science" (QIS) are developing rapidly and present numerous opportunities for impacts in high energy physics. Quantum sensors and controls, analog simulation, and qubit systems that specifically rely on or exploit superposition, entanglement, and squeezing of physical states are of particular interest. This topic focuses on key technologies to support quantum information systems that build on experience in high energy physics experimental systems, and on further development of quantum information systems for application in precision measurement, simulation, and computation that advances high energy physics research. Grant applications are sought in the following subtopics: a. Development of Low-Temperature Technologies for QIS Systems Cryogenic QIS systems operating near or below one Kelvin (1 K) are growing in scope and cold mass. Proposals are sought for the development of: (1) 4He/3He hybrid refrigeration systems that can efficiently sink power at both 1 K and mK temperatures; (2) High Density Interconnect (HDI) cables for microwave and RF readouts (frequencies ~1 10 GHz) operating with high bandwidth and low thermal loss at mK temperatures that transition to 1 K temperatures; (3) low-power mechanical actuators that can operate at mK temperatures with low thermal loss; (4) low-noise electrical circuit switches operating at mK temperatures with injected noise at the few-quanta noise level. Questions Contact: John Boger, john.boger@science.doe.gov b. High Efficiency Photodetectors and Homodyne Detectors While substantial quantum squeezing and entanglement can be produced optically, high efficiency photodetection in cryogenic and other environments is necessary in order to make use of it. High detection efficiency is also vital to quantum networks of sensors. Proposals are sought for production, testing, and/or validation of photodetector systems with high speed (>5GHz) and high quantum efficiency (>99%) capable of detecting continuous variable quantum information in telecom and NIR wavelengths. In some sensing protocols, coherent detection is required to properly characterize signals and noise and to detect the presence of entanglement in optical fields. High efficiency (>99%) and high speed (>1GHz) homodyne detectors are needed in order to enable advanced sensing and networking applications. Questions Contact: John Boger, john.boger@science.doe.gov c. Technology for Co-existence of Traditional Data and Quantum Information Over Long Distances In order to most efficiently use resources including optical fiber, there is a need to have quantum states propagate along the same fiber that simultaneously carries traditional data traffic. The presence of traditional data signals can cause various noise and interference effects including Raman scattering and four-wave mixing. Since quantum signals are sensitive to background light levels of <<1 photon, these unwanted effects can seriously limit the amount of optical power that can be launched into the fiber and thereby limit the data rate that can be transmitted. One mitigation technique is to use a classical data wavelength that is much longer than the quantum wavelength. However, there is also the desire to have as low a loss at the quantum wavelength as possible, which is typically near 1550 nm. This project will study means to allow quantum and classical data to co-propagate over long distances. Any suitable designs including the use or optimization of Raman amplifiers, wavelength engineering, polarization control, modulation format, or any other technique can be considered provided it does not assume time-synchronization between all the channels which is seen as overly constrictive. A metric of the maximum data rate possible over 100 km of fiber propagation to maintain a ratio of quantum signal to classical noise of >10 is one way to assess the overall performance. Questions Contact: John Boger, john.boger@science.doe.gov d. Other In addition to the specific subtopics listed above, the Department invites grant applications in other areas that fall within the scope of the topic description above. Questions Contact: John Boger, john.boger@science.doe.gov References: 1. Interagency Working Group on Quantum Information Science of the Subcommittee on Physical Sciences. Advancing Quantum Information Science: National Challenges and Opportunities. A Joint Report of the Committee on Science and Committee on Homeland and National Security of the National Science and Technology Council, July, 2016, https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/whitehouse.gov/files/images/Quantum_Info_Sci_Report_2016_07_22%20final.pdf 2. Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science. National Strategic Overview for Quantum Information Science. National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) report, September, 2018, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/National-Strategic-Overview-for-Quantum-Information-Science.pdf 3. HEP-ASCR Study Group Report. Grand Challenges at the Interface of Quantum Information Science, Particle Physics, and Computing. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, January 17, 2015, https://science.osti.gov/-/media/hep/pdf/files/Banner-PDFs/QIS_Study_Group_Report.pdf 4. DOE HEP-ASCR QIS Roundtable. Quantum Sensors at the Intersections of Fundamental Science, Quantum Information Science and Computing. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1358078 5. Coordinating Panel for Advanced Detectors of the Division of Particles and Fields of the American Physical Society. Quantum Sensing for High Energy Physics. Report of the first workshop to identify approaches and techniques in the domain of quantum sensing that can be utilized by future High Energy Physics applications to further the scientific goals of High Energy Physics, March 21, 2018, https://lss.fnal.gov/archive/2018/conf/fermilab-conf-18-092-ad-ae-di-ppd-t-td.pdf 6. DOE HEP Request for Information. Impacts from and to Quantum Information Science in High Energy Physics. RFI and responding comments, 2018, https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=DOE-HQ-2018-0003
