Dr Christiaan Bekker - Heriot-Watt University

Dr Bekker is developing a microchip-integrated quantum memory architecture based on solid-state defects in silicon carbide crystals. In modern optical communication networks, keeping information secure in-transit is more important than ever. Quantum memories allow information sent on quantum channels to be securely stored at repeater waystations between the sender and receiver by maintaining its quantum encryption. Dr Bekker is engineering quantum memories to maintain this data security, focusing particularly on integration of all key components onto a microchip and scaling it up to many memory nodes on one chip. Microchip integration is key to allow packaging into compact, even portable devices that can be deployed along key communication lines, and scalability will ensure that the high levels of data traffic needed for modern communications can be handled effectively. These devices will leverage the unique optical, electronic, and spintronic properties of silicon carbide to effectively address, read out, and control quantum information using light and microwave fields.