Public Funding for Phlux Technology Ltd

High fidelity, modular and scalable receiver modules are recognised as the enabling technology for entangled based quantum key distribution, which is essential for distributed quantum computing and the transmission of quantum states in quantum internet. To address this need, the MARCONI project will develop and demonstrate two new OEM quantum key distribution receivers based on different technologies and interchangeable at the point of optical connection. They will be built with UK components: \*For smaller set-ups and short distance communications, a four channel single photon avalanche detector system using novel SPADs from Phlux, packaged by Bay Photonics \*For larger, long-distance applications, a unique 64 channel superconducting nanowire single photon detector system using enhanced SNSPDs from the University of Glasgow cooled by novel 1K system by Chase Cryogenics and coupled with a new compact 64-channel timetagger from Redwave Labs. Redwave Labs will optimise the control electronics and timetaggers for both systems, which will be coupled with Fraunhofer's optical receiver module. The University of Cambridge will demonstrate the receivers in entanglement based discrete variable-quantum key distribution transmission in both metro and long-haul networks. Secure keys will be generated using the BBM92 protocol. A Strategic Advisory Board of end-users and service providers will help direct the R&D and path to commercialisation.

Skills shortages across the semiconductor industry present challenges to the UK semiconductor industry in myriad ways, ranging from hindering expansion, through reducing competitiveness, to discouraging funding for innovative startups. Although semiconductor theory is covered in most UK Electronic Engineering (EE) or Physics degree courses, most graduates lack practical semiconductors experience, leaving them ill-prepared for and disinclined to seek jobs in the semiconductor industry. This is compounded by a limited pipeline of future UK talents in the industry. Semiconductor technologies do not feature prominently in school levers' decision-making for degree/apprenticeship choices. The common causes for these issues are lack of awareness and teaching resources/facilities dedicated to semiconductor technologies. The latter require expensive semiconductor manufacturing equipment and highly qualified staff to utilise/maintain. The ASISST project aims to address the skills shortages by (i) raising the UK public's awareness of the semiconductor industry and (ii) producing accessible, relevant semiconductor training courses to fill identified gaps in UK STEM graduates. **Raising public awareness** will help to address the skills shortages in the long term, by encouraging more interests among school pupils in EE/Physics. We will 1. Improve the quality of our existing school and FE college engagement activities: Upgrading content and adding practical semiconductor experience. 2. Increase the knowledgebase of STEM ambassadors: Providing additional support and training on semiconductor technologies. 3. Provide a free, basic online course aimed at sixth-formers, FE college students, or non-EE/Physics degree holders. 4. Provide a remote lab for semiconductor device testing aimed at Y10 or upwards school pupils **Accessible, relevant semiconductor training courses** serve to fill practical skills gaps in UK STEM graduates. We will 1. Provide a free, more in-depth online course aimed at non-EE/Physics STEM degree holders 2. Deliver week-long in-person training courses aimed at STEM undergraduate(UG)/PhD studentsIn the project team, the University of Sheffield has extensive experience in school engagements, practical teaching of semiconductors at UG level, and a diverse range of semiconductor industry contacts. Bay Photonics' expertise in semiconductor device packaging (design and manufacture) is highly significant. ASISST training materials and courses will be informed by their practical know-hows usually absent in even high-quality undergraduate semiconductor modules and textbooks, enabling entrepreneurial students to take academic ideas into production. Phlux has expertise in semiconductor device design, fabrication and testing. Their experience of the entire semiconductor supply chain brings much benefit to designs of online and in-person courses.

LIDAR (light detection and ranging) is the technique used by modern vehicles to visualise their surroundings in 3D. Early long range LIDAR systems for AVs and advanced-driver-assisted-systems (ADAS) being brought to market in 2022, rely on raster scanning techniques to build an image 1 pixel at a time. These early systems are very bulky, have range limitations and issues caused by the system architecture, such as low frame rate, poor image density and a 'rolling shutter' effect. A second generation of low cost, small form factor LIDAR systems could be unlocked by the availability of a infrared, large area, high sensitivity detector technology. Development of such a detector represents both a major challenge and opportunity for Phlux. The vision for this project is to establish a revolutionary imaging platform for next generation infrared detection systems. Development and application of the technology during this project will focus on two timely global challenges: 1\. The safe navigation of future autonomous vehicles using compact long range (\>200m) LIDAR and 2\. Remote monitoring of atmospheric greenhouse gases (with sensitivity of 1 part per million). Longer term, the technology developed during this project will position Phlux as a global leader of infrared imaging, leading to a plethora of future opportunities including in spectroscopy, optical communications and quantum imaging. This project will improve the sensitivity of Phlux's low noise detector technology by 10 times and increase the manufacturing readiness level for deployment. This project's main aims are: * Accelerate product development of Phlux's Pixel detector module that will introduce 10X higher sensitivity than the state-of-art * Develop evaluation modules to support commercial engagement * Building a supply chain to support the anticipated market volumes * Leverage private investment through multiple funding rounds Phlux will develop prototype devices meeting specifications provided by major players in automotive LIDAR. Working with partners in the field, these devices will be trialled in real systems to validate Phlux's value proposition. Our central objective is to achieve a level of system demonstration and overall risk reduction that can attract the large scale funding needed to achieve the required level of business growth.

To address climate change, attention on greenhouse gases has recently expanded from an overwhelming focus on carbon dioxide to include methane. Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas, because for 20 years after release, it is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane is a major constituent of natural gas, which has experienced increased demand, owing to a global switch from coal and oil to natural gas. In addition to its detrimental effects on climate change, methane loss caused by leaks is estimated to cost more than 23 billion GBP per year. Ideally, continuous monitoring for methane with good spatial resolution is needed to identify and minimise methane loss. However, current technologies to detect methane leaks are expensive and time-consuming, resulting in only occasional inspections. Handheld "sniffers" detect leaks at short range, requiring them to be passed over every square foot of a facility. Satellite imaging, (ESA's Copernicus Sentinel 5P satellite) provides wider coverage but suffers from poor spatial resolution (19.5 km2) and intermittent data. The AIR SPAD project addresses this important shortcoming of current methane detection technology, by developing high-performance single photon detectors, with 4X higher detection efficiency for quantum gas sensing cameras. The project team consists of Phlux, QLM, and The University of Sheffield (TUoS). QLM has recently demonstrated quantum gas sensing cameras (based on single photon infrared LIDAR) that can image and quantify greenhouse gases at long range. These cameras have great potential to drastically reduce the complexity and cost of gas monitoring of large industrial sites, but their camera performance is currently limited to low frame rates, and static operation caused by inadequate performance of the single photon detectors available. Phlux Technology Ltd and TUoS have recently demonstrated a new infrared single photon detector technology that has the potential to deliver 4X higher single photon detection efficiency (SPDE) than commercial Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs). Deployed in QLM's quantum gas sensing, Phlux's AIR SPAD detector could increase the framerate by 4X, while increasing measurement range and methane sensitivity. We believe this project will not only be a game changer for quantum gas sensing camera capability, but also lead to a UK supplier for SWIR SPADs. AIR SPAD could also be an equally disruptive technology for fibre-based quantum key distribution systems and infrared quantum imaging.

Project QUDITS is a feasibility study which aims to develop a demonstrator platform to showcase the feasibility of developing quantum communication systems using qudits based on orbital angular momentum (OAM). By using using commercially available novel photonics technologies from the UK supply chain, photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs) and low-noise Avalanche Photo-Diodes (ALDs), able to operate at optical communications wavelengths. Quantum information is shaped around the use of qubits, the quantum analogy to the standard bit. This is a two-level, binary system, which is well known and has been used for many years. All quantum technologies currently being commercialised are based on qubits as the building block of quantum information. However, a two-level system inherently limits the density of information that can be carried in a quantum system. Higher dimensional Hilbert states of quantum information exist, known as qudits, and have more than two discrete states and can carry more information. The QUDITS project is developing a new area of quantum technologies for a potentially disruptive future communication system that will greatly enhance the state-of-the-art. It will demonstrate the feasibility of generating and detecting qudits from commercially available components from the UK supply chain. Qudits are a natural scale up technology for communication systems, enabling more data to reside on one quantum state, instead of having to send more qubits.