image: UVA associate professor of electrical and computer engineering Xu Yi
Credit: Tom Cogill for UVA Engineering
The University of Virginia has been awarded an $8 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to lead a groundbreaking project aimed at developing next-generation optical detectors. This effort, part of DARPA's INSPIRED program (INtensity-Squeezed Photonic Integration for Revolutionary Detectors), seeks to revolutionize detection technology by vastly improving its sensitivity. The technology is expected to enhance systems that rely on precise detection, such as communications, defense and medical diagnostics.
Collaborative Leadership
The project is being led by associate professor Xu Yi, an expert in photonics at UVA in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, with contributions from UVA electrical and computer engineering professors Andreas Beling, Joe Charles Campbell, associate professor Steven M. Bowers and UVA Department of Physics professor Oliver Pfister. The multidisciplinary team also includes collaborators from:
- Harvard University
- University of Maryland-College Park
- University of Colorado-Boulder
- Morton Photonics, a leader in pioneering photonic technologies
This collaborative effort brings together the best minds in the fields of photonics, quantum optics and electrical engineering, making it a national endeavor to push the limits of current detection capabilities.
Cutting-Edge Research
At the heart of the project is the development of compact, chip-scale photonic systems capable of significantly enhancing the sensitivity of optical detectors. The UVA-led team will employ "squeezed light" — a type of quantum light that reduces detection noise — to build systems that far surpass the sensitivity of current detectors.
This means that the detectors will be able to "see" fainter signals, even amidst interference, and with much higher accuracy. These advances have the potential to transform a range of fields, from night vision technology to biomedical imaging.
Their goal is to exceed the quantum limit by up to 40 times, using state-of-the-art silicon nitride (SiN) photonic circuits, integrated lasers and microresonators.
Societal Impact
The applications of this technology are vast and highly impactful:
- Healthcare: Enhanced detection in medical devices could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, benefiting fields like cancer detection and medical imaging.
- National Security: The technology will enhance communication and surveillance systems, making them more reliable and better at detecting weak signals in complex environments.
- Scientific Research: High-sensitivity detectors are crucial for research in fields such as astronomy and fundamental physics, potentially enabling new scientific discoveries.
The project is structured in two phases over 36 months. The first phase will focus on developing the core chip-scale photonic devices, followed by the creation of fully integrated detectors in the second phase. The collaboration among these leading institutions and companies promises to deliver transformational advancements, cementing UVA’s role at the forefront of optical and quantum technology development.
About UVA Engineering: As part of the top-ranked, comprehensive University of Virginia, UVA Engineering is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected engineering schools. Our mission is to make the world a better place by creating and disseminating knowledge and by preparing future engineering leaders. Outstanding students and faculty from around the world choose UVA Engineering because of our growing and internationally recognized education and research programs. UVA is the No. 1 public engineering school in the country for the percentage of women graduates, among schools with at least 75 degree earners; among the top engineering schools in the United States for the four-year graduation rate of undergraduate students; and among the top-growing public engineering schools in the country for the rate of Ph.D. enrollment growth. Our research program has grown by 95% since 2016. Learn more at engineering.virginia.edu.