Quantum science is a domain dealing with quantum effects, such as superposition and entanglement, to achieve a number of functions, including computing, sensing, measuring, and communicating.

IEM activities cover a wide range of technologies related to quantum science. Starting from the quantum device itself and its basic building blocks, we create models both at room and cryogenic temperatures that enable the creation of novel 2D and 3D materials, quantum devices, and quantum circuits.

Further, we look at the interaction between quantum and classical systems, so as to make it possible to achieve integrated control of complex quantum processors, including quantum error correction for fault-tolerant quantum computing systems. Particularly, our institute activities are at the core of quantum engineering, considered by many a new discipline that bridges the physics-based foundation of quantum science with the engineering abstraction and technology implementations necessary to design and build larger-scale quantum machines. As an example, challenges related to qubit scaling made silicon CMOS technology one of the most promising platform for their implementation in millions, together with the co-design of interfacing electronics.

Finally, we look at quantum optical systems for secure quantum communication, quantum imaging, and distributed quantum computing from generation to detection of photons, with a keen interest in integration and miniaturization. The overarching goal is to abstract, model, and realize the quantum stack from algorithms to quantum devices, using novel and conventional technologies both in the electrical and optical domains, creating a strong link between theory and experimental results.

Overall, by advanced quantum engineering, IEM is particularly aiming at contributing to promote research and innovation in relation with the demonstration and exploitation of quantum advantage, which concern the enhanced capabilities quantum science and technology can offer for computation, sensing and communications.

Key research themes

• Quantum devices and fabrication technologies for scalable quantum systems: modeling, design, fabrication, and characterization of nanoscale solid-state devices exploiting quantum effects (qubits or other), such as superposition and entanglement.
• Quantum EDA: algorithms and tools for the modeling of complex quantum systems to enable efficient fidelity-driven, fault-tolerant designs.
• Quantum-classical interconnects: cryogenic and RT analog and mixed-signal IC design to interface quantum and classical circuits, with a keen interest in ultra-low-power and deep-cryogenic operation.
• Quantum optical systems: light generation and detection for secure quantum communication, quantum imaging, and distributed quantum computing applications.
• Quantum sensing: as transformative field of sensing exploiting intricate quantum mechanical phenomena to make ultrasensitive measurements of multiple parameters to achieve sensitivities beyond the classical limits.
• Quantum security in IoTs: IoT devices are networked in large arrays that are generally not secured. Thus, malicious tampering is possible from any device in the network. Quantum random number generators, which can be highly miniaturized, have been shown to be effective and constitute an important research topic.