Towards quantum technologies with gamma photons

Abstract

In the context of the second quantum revolution, the ability to manipulate quantum systems is already used for various techniques and a growing number of technology demonstrators, mostly with low energy photons. In this frame, our intention is to extend quantum technologies to gamma photons. Our aim is to take advantage of resources brought by entanglement with higher energy particles, particularly electron-positron annihilation quanta. Tools for low frequency quantum experiments are not suitable for penetrant radiation, consequently we need to use effects typical to the keV-MeV energy range instead. High energy photon protocols would include fundamental properties testing, industrial imaging, quantum random number generators, quantum simulators, military applications and improvement of already existing medical procedures. In this paper we review some important steps in the study of annihilation photon correlations, we point out the experimental differences and necessities with respect to the energy increase in quantum photonic experiments and we describe the design of a quantum gamma device we propose for experiments meant to prove feasibility of gamma ray based protocols. The perspective behind our project is to evidence the possibility to communicate via entangled quanta through media which are not transparent for low energy photons.