On May 27, Vladimir Shevchenko, Rector of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, spoke at the Annual All-Russian Scientific Conference with International Participation "Microelectronic Systems-2026". What is the place of photonics in the modern scientific and technological picture of the world and in the development and research of our university, where new physics intersects with new technologies, and who will be their customer? The report of the rector, who spoke in the section "Photonics and photonic integrated Circuits" was called "Photonics at MEPhI: from quantum technologies to thermonuclear fusion". We publish his main theses.
The era of quantum devices began in many ways with MEPhI, where N.G. Basov, an outstanding scientist, Nobel Prize winner in physics, graduate and professor of MEPhI, founder of quantum electronics, developer of the world's first laser and, in general, a "large family" of lasers, worked. Like this family, MEPhI now also has a large family of key areas related to nuclear, quantum, and information science and technology doctrines: new physics and technologies of the future, nuclear technologies and new materials, new solutions for medicine and biotechnology, artificial intelligence technologies, critical information technologies, and finally quantum technologies and integrated photonics. Let's talk about the key ones.
At MEPhI, together with FIAN, NCFM and VNIIFTRI, they are researching the nuclear transition of the optical range and the prospects for creating a quantum register at the nuclear transition in the thorium-229 isotope using a quadrupole Paul trap, as well as the prospects for creating quantum clocks and a quantum register based on strontium ions – these developments are related to the creation of new time and frequency standards. "We are aiming for an error of 10-20," which will provide an opportunity for qualitatively new experimental research, for example, for autonomous gravimetry.
MEPhI is engaged in the creation and management of multi-qubit spin quantum networks formed by the electronic and nuclear spins of impurity centers in diamond, the nuclear spins of the isotopic carbon lattice, as well as external nuclear spins for their use in quantum technologies. Main results: the basics of controlled laser generation of single NV centers in the near-surface layer of diamond have been developed; a photoluminescent control technique has been developed that makes it possible to dose laser exposure and thus control the generation of active centers; The primary characteristic of the obtained diamond samples has been created: the spin–lattice relaxation and spin coherence times for the color centers found in them have been established; the preliminary structure of a multi-qubit network of electron/nuclear spins has been established. A large seminar on this topic will be held at the university in June.
The story of quantum sensors based on NV centers is developing. We have developed quantum magnetometers based on NV centers (they are a chip containing a photodiode, microwave pulse sources, a laser diode for pumping NV centers) and a quantum thermometer based on coloring centers (it is an optical fiber with a diamond placed on it (0.1-10 microns) and a microwave antenna, used as a probe in the study of biological objects). A new protocol of quantum magnetometry for Kramers degenerate spin systems in diamond has been developed, which makes it possible to increase the accuracy of measurements of weak magnetic fields by suppressing the influence of intracrystalline deformation and associated electric fields.
A measuring complex for scanning quantum magnetometry with a sensor element based on NV centers in diamond is being developed. The device is designed for highly sensitive and high-resolution vector magnetometry of weak fields from various objects at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The physical basis of his work is the use of the dependence of the frequencies of microwave transitions between spin sublevels on the magnetic field due to the Zeeman effect. The lateral resolution of the device is at least 50 nm, and the measurement temperature is 300 K. Areas of application – creation of new 2D nanomaterials; research and development in micro- and nanoelectronics, spintronics, in technologies for creating non-volatile memory; research and development in the field of neurobiology and biomedicine; conducting fundamental research in the field of nanotechnology, high-temperature superconductivity, physics of magnetic phenomena. These works are carried out within the framework of our World class scientific center.
At the same World class scientific center, a single photon source (SPS) is being created based on a nanodiamond with a SiV center, a point defect formed by a silicon atom between two vacancies in the diamond crystal lattice. Upon optical excitation, SiV goes into an excited state, and then relaxes into the ground state with the emission of a photon at a wavelength of 738 nm. Such an SPS has a number of advantages: a high intensity of narrow–band emission of single photons at room temperature, unlimited temporary photostability, the ability to integrate a nanoscale emitter into a microresonator, and the ability to scale.
The scientific activity of the nuclear University is inextricably linked with the educational one – at MEPhI there is a training and scientific center "Quantum Engineering", where highly qualified applied specialists in the field of quantum and related technologies are trained. It should be noted that the training is carried out according to the first and only bachelor's degree program in Russia, which from the first year is focused specifically on quantum technologies. Students carry out their research on the basis of the laboratories of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Physico-Technical and Radio Engineering Measurements, QRate, and MIPT. The university is also a venue for the NTO Olympiad for students of the "Quantum Engineering" profile, we are also preparing teams to participate in AtomSkills and Digitalskills in the "Quantum Technologies" competence. A joint online educational program is being developed by MEPhI, MIPT, and MISIS iMSTU named after Bauman under the auspices of the Rosatom State Corporation, which will form the basis of an International Quantum University.
MEPhI is also developing a waveguide photodetector with a 40 GHz microwave band (as part of the InP platform for photonic integrated circuits), a broadband radiophoton receiving and transmitting unit, interferometers (three-axis for measuring movements in the nanometer range LHI-NANO-3D and a nanometer-precision displacement encoder LHI-ENC).
And of course, the rector spoke about the construction of our complex ELF (Experimental Laser Facility), a unique facility for Russian universities, on the basis of which a world-class research infrastructure will be created, using megascience installations in the user facility format, replacing the lost access opportunities to foreign user installations. What does all this mean for fundamental physics? That laser acceleration of electrons and ions, radiation friction, the quantum radiation regime, quantum cascades, and vacuum instability will be studied here at peak intensity from 1018 to 1027 W/cm2.
"Today, electronics has actually reached its limit, we need to switch to photons and increase the frequency, this story should become applied," said the rector, but how, when and by whom this breakthrough in the development of radiophotonic technologies on a global and national scale is the main question.
