$4 million in NSF Phase 2 funding will support the University of Michigan-led QuPID consortium over two years as one of nine teams designing field-ready quantum photonic hardware.
The project aims to turn lab-bound quantum measurement systems into modular chips, using scandium aluminum nitride to deliver low-loss, high-fidelity light control across wavelengths from below infrared to deep ultraviolet.
Phase 2 work also targets stronger on-chip squeezed light performance, lifting noise reduction from 3 dB to 5 dB, with a longer-term goal of 15 dB.
Two lead applications shape the design roadmap: GPS-free quantum navigation for space, lunar and underwater use, and an attosecond quantum camera for microelectronics and chemical-reaction analysis.
If QuPID meets 2028 performance milestones, it can compete for a $50 million Phase 3 award to prototype and manufacture deployable quantum chips with partners including Stanford, Harvard, NASA and Raytheon.
Can this breakthrough material truly overcome the photon loss that has stalled practical quantum computing?
What unique advantage does Michigan's ferroelectric material offer over its four NSF-funded quantum rivals?
How soon could quantum navigation make GPS obsolete for deep space, underwater, and critical defense missions?
QuPID Advances: University of Michigan-Led Project Secures $4M NSF Phase 2 Award, Eyes $50M for Field-Deployable Quantum Photonic Chips
Overview
The University of Michigan-led Quantum Photonic Integration and Deployment (QuPID) project has advanced to Phase 2 of the NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL) competition, marking a crucial step after a successful initial phase. This achievement, driven by a broad collaborative network, strategically positions QuPID for future funding within NSF’s quantum technology initiatives. The project’s progress aligns with the NQVL program’s core goals: accelerating the transition of quantum technologies from academic labs to commercial use and developing the future quantum workforce. Through extensive collaborations, QuPID is actively advancing quantum photonic integration and deployment.