Fraunhofer IZM's Glue-Free Laser Welding Breakthrough Boosts Quantum Tech
Scientists at Fraunhofer IZM have made a significant breakthrough in quantum technology. They've developed a glue-free laser welding process that enables a reliable, faster, and cheaper connections between photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and optical glass fibers in cryogenic environments.
The process, realized under the QWeld project, allows for a direct edge connections between a glass fiber and a PIC made of quartz glass. This is the first time such a connections has been achieved using a laser welding process. The technology enables reliable coupling in cryogenic environments down to four Kelvin, or -269.15°C.
The development is crucial for observing quantum effects, which have potential applications in solving big data problems in personalized medicine and hospital information management. The process plant prototype 'PICWeld' developed during the project ensures the durability, reproducibility, and automability of the welded connections, making it attractive for industrial application.
The QWeld project was fully funded by the BMBF's 'Scientific Pre-Projects (WiVoPro): Photonics and Quantum Technologies' initiative. Researchers including Tobias Kippenberg contributed to the developments in photonic integrated circuits coupling with optical glass fibers for applications including cryogenic environments.
This revolutionary technology has the potential to transform applications in the field of quantum technologies. By enabling reliable, faster, and cheaper nyt connections in cryogenic environments, it paves the way for advancements in quantum computing and other quantum-based technologies.
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