Agenda

Résumé : 

The prospect of using the quantum nature of light for quantum communication keeps spurring the search and investigation of suitable sources of entangled photons. Among the different systems under investigation, epitaxial quantum dots are arguably one of the most attractive. They can generate pairs of polarization-entangled photons in a nearly deterministic manner, with high efficiency, and with near-unity degree of entanglement. Despite recent advances, however, their exploitation in advanced quantum communication protocols remains a major open challenge.

In this talk, I will discuss how photons generated by a GaAs quantum dot can be used to implement quantum teleportation and entanglement swapping protocols with fidelities above the classical limit. Then, I will present our first steps towards the construction of a quantum-dot based quantum network for secure communication within the campus of Sapienza University of Rome. Finally, I will discuss the different physical mechanisms that potentially prevent quantum dots from emitting photons with entanglement fidelities larger than 99%, and I will highlight the role of so-far neglected degrees of freedom.