A Major Leap in Quantum Technology
In a significant advancement for India's technological landscape, IIT Madras has introduced the country's inaugural Silicon Photonics-based Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG). This innovation is poised to enhance IT security across various sectors, including military defense, financial transactions, blockchain applications, and gaming.
The development of this QRNG marks a pivotal moment in the high-tech sector, as it is now being prepared for market introduction. According to V Kamakoti, the Director of IIT Madras, this technology is crucial for secure computing and communication, emphasizing the strong connection between silicon photonics and quantum technologies.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with Indrarka Quantum Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to facilitate the commercial rollout of this groundbreaking product, showcasing a successful collaboration between academia and industry.
The QRNG was developed at IIT Madras’s Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuit and Systems (CPPICS), underscoring its strategic importance in advancing India's quantum innovation ecosystem.
A formal licensing agreement valued at Rs 1 crore was executed between IIT Madras's Technology Transfer Office and the private firm, with faculty and government officials present at the signing ceremony.
Previously, a prototype of the QRNG was provided to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in India, and an upgraded version has been successfully implemented at the Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS) in Chennai for quantum security applications.
During the MoU signing event, Prof. V. Kamakoti expressed his enthusiasm for the QRNG's market readiness, highlighting its potential impact.
This licensing agreement signifies a crucial step in transforming advanced academic research into commercially viable products, reinforcing India's position in the global quantum technology arena.
At the product launch, Mr. S Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, praised the QRNG as a source of national pride.
Dinanath Soni, a representative from Indrarka Quantum Technologies, expressed their commitment to making this indigenous innovation widely accessible, aligning with the Make in India initiative and positioning India as a leader in quantum security.
Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean of IIT Madras, remarked that the CPPICS embodies the institution's vision of converting world-class research into impactful solutions. The successful development and licensing of the QRNG exemplify how focused research and strong industry partnerships can yield technologies of national significance.
Prof. Bijoy Krishna Das, Chief Investigator of the Silicon Photonics CoE-CPPICS, highlighted that this QRNG module is a landmark achievement in India's research journey, thanking the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for their financial support in establishing the silicon photonics center at IIT Madras.
He also acknowledged the contributions of faculty members, research scholars, and engineers involved in the project, as well as the engineering team at izmo Microsystems for their support in photonic IC packaging.
