Alexander Solntsev

I investigate how light can be engineered and harnessed at the quantum level to solve problems that classical optics cannot reach.  My team builds miniature “quantum photonic chips” that generate, manipulate and detect entangled photons with record efficiency, stability and spectral reach.  We combine three toolkits – nonlinear waveguides, metasurfaces and machine-learning design – to push the frontiers of quantum spectroscopy, secure communications and on-chip quantum information processing.

Fundamental advances

• Demonstrated the first photon-triplet metasurface, opening a new platform for high-dimensional quantum interference.
• Designed dispersion-engineered waveguides that deliver high efficiency on-chip entangled light.
• Predicted and observed non-Hermitian topological states of light in two dimensions, providing a route to disorder-robust quantum transport.

Translational programs

• Healthcare: Mid-infrared entangled-photon spectroscopy detects cardiac biomarkers in serum without reagents.  A prototype funded by NSW Critical Technologies is entering pre-clinical validation with TissueGnostics.
• Defence: Low-loss quantum light sources for secure free-space links and quantum sensors under development via Defence Innovation Network and Strategic Research Accelerator.