New National Institute of Science and Technology in Quantum Devices begins activities at CNPEM

Institute brings together researchers from various institutions to catalyze research into first- and second-generation quantum devices.

The Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) has begun activities at the newest National Institute of Science and Technology, this one focusing on Quantum Devices (INCT-DQ). The initiative is intended to catalyze research, scientific innovation, training of human resources, and dissemination of knowledge on first- and second-generation quantum devices. To meet this goal, INCT-DQ brings together 41 researchers from 13 scientific institutions in five Brazilian states.

Coordinated by researcher and Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano/CNPEM) director Rodrigo Capaz, the new institute will develop quantum devices on solid-state and photonic platforms, with applications in computing, communication, metrology and quantum sensing.

“INCT-DQ is the result of a history of initiatives in quantum technologies that have been carried out since 2001 in order to structure and strengthen networks of scientific and technological excellence in this area. Our purpose is to continue this legacy and consequently make it possible for the country to stand out in the development of innovative solutions in strategic areas such as computing, metrology, sensing and secure communication,” says Capaz.

This initiative is one of 121 new National Institutes approved by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) at the beginning of June this year. The new Institute of Science and Technology in Quantum Devices will receive a total of approximately 12 million Reais in funding and 34 grants from CNPq for research and other activities related to this topic over a five-year period.

Solid-state and photonic devices

INCT-DQ’s research efforts are organized into two main areas: solid-state devices and photonic devices. On the solid-state front, the focus is on developing spin qubits in silico and devices based on two-dimensional materials, such as single photon emitters, quantum memories and optomechanical systems.

In the photonics area, the project will invest in the creation of integrated photonic circuits, multimode devices and structures in advanced materials such as metamaterials and silicon. These components will be applied to quantum optical processors, random number generation based on quantum phenomena, distribution of secure cryptographic keys, and research on the quantum advantage, known as the ability to perform computational tasks beyond the reach of classical systems.

Another focus of INCT-DQ will be the development of extremely high-precision sensors based on quantum mechanics principles that can overcome the limits imposed by traditional techniques. The research will include advanced methodologies in quantum optics, open systems, quantum thermodynamics, decoherence, entanglement and precise estimates of physical parameters.

 “One of the expected scientific advances is the connection between the two lines of the project. An example of the potential for this integration is the work by the UFMG group, which for several years has been studying the quantum properties of Stokes-anti-Stokes (SaS) photon pairs generated by inelastic light scattering in transparent materials, especially diamond. The expectation is that this type of research could be linked to the development of photonic devices, using SaS scattering to probe the quantum properties inherent in material media,” says Carlos Monken, a professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and one of the managers responsible for INCT-DQ.

Innovation, Outreach and Communication

To promote integration of the scientific research being conducted in the quantum area by this group into the market, INCT-DQ has a deputy coordinator who will be responsible for identifying technological demands and application opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, health and petrochemicals, as well as other innovation activities.

“It is essential to consider the transformation of knowledge into socio-economic and environmental impacts. INCT-DQ’s innovation area will work to bring the culture of innovation into our research efforts, and try to identify problems in society that our technologies can solve. From these, we will map out potential applications and spread the word about possible interactions with large companies that are working with open innovation via technology-based startups and deeptechs,” explains Newton Frateschi, a full professor at the Gleb Wataghin Physics Institute at the State University of Campinas (IFGW/UNICAMP) who is also responsible for the INCT’s innovation activities.

Additionally, the associate coordination units for communication and outreach will complement the INCT’s S&T&I activities, promoting team integration and ensuring that the outcomes of the research extend to the field’s community and to society at large. “We are a large group, and for this network to function properly it is essential to build bonds and maintain cohesion between the team’s researchers. Dissemination of information among participants is the main tool for bringing together researchers from different areas and locations, and possibly fostering collaborations between these researchers. In short, this type of coordination will ensure the esprit de corps at our INCT,” says Fernando Nicácio, a researcher at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), who, together with José Augusto Huguenin from the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), coordinates the communication division of the INCT-DQ.

The outreach area includes training courses and scientific dissemination activities such as events for primary and technical school teachers, initiatives to popularize quantum physics, and support for technical missions and exchanges with international centers in the field. The INCT will also pay special attention to promoting ethnic/racial, gender, and territorial diversity in its outreach activities.

“We have realized the need to consolidate a national community – both now and in the future – that is connected to the challenges and opportunities of quantum technologies. We believe that outreach activities and popularizing science are essential to bring the public closer to this topic and encourage new generations of researchers to work in this field. CNPEM researcher Ingrid Barcelos and UFABC researcher Luciano Cruz, in addition to carrying out scientific activities within the INCT, will support the group in outreach and gender-related actions,” concludes Rodrigo Capaz.

The INCT-DQ adopts the governance model established for the national institutes, with a Steering Committee composed of representatives from different research institutions. The group includes Carlos Henrique Monken (UFMG), Gustavo Silva Wiederhecker (Unicamp), Paulo Henrique Souto Ribeiro (UFSC), and Marcelo Paleólogo França Santos (UFRJ), who work in coordination with the project’s general coordinator, Rodrigo Capaz (CNPEM), in overseeing the project.

In addition to LNNano/CNPEM, INCT-DQ incorporates researchers and infrastructures from the Brazilian Synchrotron Light National Laboratory (LNLS/CNPEM), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), INMETRO, PUC-Rio, SENAI-CIMATEC, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Federal Institute of Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ) and Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC).