The project, part of the Valencian Community's Quantum Communications Plan, is a collaborative effort between the University of Valencia, the Polytechnic University of Valencia, the University of Alicante, and CEU Cardenal Herrera University. Together, these institutions are driving a new wave of innovation to position the Valencian Community as a leader in quantum technologies applied to fields such as telecommunications, cybersecurity, and healthcare.
One of the main challenges facing integrated quantum photonics today is the difficulty of reliably, reproducibly, and scalably integrating quantum light sources into photonic circuits. These barriers, both in manufacturing processes and integration protocols, limit the commercialization of many scientific advances. The CUPIDO project directly addresses this problem, working on the design, fabrication, and characterization of novel single-photon sources based on various semiconductor materials, as well as their integration into photonic circuits. The goal is to lay the groundwork for these technologies to be manufactured more stably and on a larger scale.
Applied Research:
Throughout the project, the research team is developing several complementary lines of work. On the one hand, they are advancing the design and fabrication of single-photon sources and their integration into photonic circuits. On the other hand, they are working on the development of lasers and photodetectors based on III-V semiconductors, materials particularly well-suited for this type of active device.
Furthermore, a key part of the project focuses on the development of hybrid integrated photonic platforms, which combine silicon and III-V semiconductors. This integration is essential for advancing towards more efficient and scalable photonic circuits, capable of meeting the needs of future quantum applications.
In-house infrastructure to scale up.
The CUPIDO project leverages the design and manufacturing capabilities of the research team and the infrastructure of the NTC-UPV, where processes developed in regional, national, and European projects will be scaled up to the wafer level. This work will advance the reproducible fabrication of single-photon sources and the integration of active devices into silicon photonic circuits. “The challenge is not only to conduct research, but to do so with an eye toward how that knowledge can grow and be transferred,” explained Víctor Jesús Gómez, principal investigator of the project. “Our goal is for these advances not to remain confined to the laboratory, but to lay the foundation for future real-world applications.”
A university looking to the future through research.
This project is one of eleven that make up the Quantum Communications Plan, led by four prestigious universities: the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), the University of Valencia (UV), the University of Alicante (UA), and the CEU Cardenal Herrera University (CEU-UCH). Together, these initiatives encompass a wide range of research and development lines with the aim of promoting quantum technology and its applications in strategic areas such as telecommunications and cybersecurity, thus consolidating the Valencian Community as a benchmark for technological innovation at the national and international levels. With more than half a century of history, the Polytechnic University of Valencia is a leading public institution in research, teaching, and knowledge transfer. With nearly 28,000 students, 2,500 faculty and researchers, and 1,500 administrative and support staff, the UPV maintains a strong commitment to innovation and technological development. Projects like CUPIDO reinforce that commitment and consolidate the role of the university as an engine of progress, capable of transforming cutting-edge research into real opportunities for the future of society.
