LEONIDAS

The LEONIDAS action was submitted for the first time in the last MSCA-ITN 2017 call. According to the Evaluation Summary Report the overall score we obtained was of 94.2%. Not even one weakness was highlighted (only strengths were reported) and the scores for each evaluated part were as follows: Criterion 1–Excellence, Score: 4.70; Criterion 2–Impact, Score: 4.80; Criterion 3-Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation, Score: 4.60. In spite of this very positive evaluation, the project was not financed (threshold to go was 96.2%). Clearly, a financial support such as the MRSEI, devoted to improving the quality of the rebuttal of our proposal in 2018, may represent the key to obtain the grant. We aim at creating an European research ITN network for the training of young scientists in the research field of quantum photonics based on silicon devices. We will provide to the PhDs an overview over silicon devices from the fundamental issues of Si purification and growth, ending up at the pinnacle of the modern communication era: quantum computation and information processing. The use of a silicon platform, and the involvement of industrial members, are strategic assets of the ITN: the implementation of the research program will lead to new science and new applications of tremendous relevance in semiconductor physics, devices and applications. LEONIDAS will train 15 PhD in the field of Si-based nano-structures, photonics and electronics towards the implementation of quantum devices. The trainees will be exposed to ideas, methods and issues relevant to the largest world-wide semiconductor market, offering them a wide spectrum of choices in their careers in academia and in the private company sectors (e.g. photovoltaics, transistors, cameras, detectors, mobiles etc.). Nano-photonics for solid-state quantum information requires great challenges in the fabrication and understanding of efficient quantum emitters with tailored properties, in the development of new scientific equipment enabling advanced experiments and devices at the single/multiple quantum level. For widespread nano-photonics and quantum information applications, semiconductor devices need to be engineered with full freedom and easily integrated in existing platforms and technologies. A main requirement is the implementation of new devices in a silicon platform, with different architectures and tunable optical, electrical and spin properties. These requirements are met by the control over sample purity, high quality of ion implantation and by all the widespread expertise in Si-based micro- and nano-structures. Despite a growing demand of innovative applications in this strongly multi-disciplinary research area, besides mutual collaborations on sub-fields, there are no research networks covering the entire topic. Our aim is to bring together European groups with a recognized expertise in growth, microscopy, spectroscopy, theory and device fabrication, so to cover the full chain of research in the field of quantum information processing, from basic materials science to practical devices. The input to LEONIDAS of non-academic members is crucial for the achievement of the proposed objectives, as well as for the enhancement of the training environment. In this way we will create a research and training action aiming at studying the ion implantation methods, deeply understanding the involved physics targeting well defined fundamental and technological goals. The LEONIDAS proposal timely matches all the 6 key-activities suggested by the “Quantum Manifesto” proposal (QUROPE) ensuring that the trained researchers will be uniquely well-placed to contribute to the development of new quantum devices in silicon. Our action will strongly enhance existing collaborations among consortium Partners, now covering only specific aspects of the whole chain of research.