Francesco Raffaelli
Chief Technology Officer
KETS Quantum Security
After receiving bachelor’s and master’s Degrees at the University of Padua (Italy) Francesco pursued a PhD at the Quantum Engineering & Technology Labs, University of Bristol (2018), with a thesis on quantum random number generators on photonic integrated circuits. After the PhD, Francesco joined KETS Quantum Security, to develop chip-based quantum cryptography solutions. In 2022 Francesco was awarded a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, and he is now Head of Technology at KETS Quantum Security where he oversees the development of the company’s core technologies.
Presentations
PIC-enabled Quantum-safe Cryptography
Quantum key distribution will transform the existing digital security, by establishing networks that are intrinsically secure against quantum computers. The main barriers to adoption of quantum key distribution systems are their costs and form factors. This is ultimately due to the widespread use of fibre-based solutions to encode and decode the quantum optical signals. At KETS we have pioneered chip-based commercial quantum key distribution systems which open the way to truly scalable quantum key distribution solutions. All the core quantum photonic components used to generate, distribute and detect quantum signals have been implemented onto photonic integrated circuits, and manufactured in commercial photonic foundries. Several photonics platforms have been used to implement our solution, which includes Silicon-on-Insulator transmitter chips, and Indium Phosphide optically self-contained quantum random number generators. As our most recent breakthrough, our receiver chips have been co-integrated with single-photon avalanche detectors, in a highly compact solution. This has solved the last remaining hurdle towards the miniaturization and large-scale deployment of discrete-variable quantum key distribution systems and opening further opportunities for future quantum internet applications.
Panel Sessions
Novel Startups in Photonic Integrated Circuits — From Concept to Deployment
Moderated by Jon Pugh, Director of PIC and Quantum Technologies at OPTICA. This panel brings together a new generation of innovative PIC startups pushing beyond traditional transceivers and into emerging applications across AI infrastructure, lighting, sensing, quantum technologies, and advanced communications. Founders and technical leaders will share how they are translating breakthrough photonic architectures, materials, and integration approaches into manufacturable, deployable products. The discussion will explore what differentiates these startups from incumbent solutions, where PICs are genuinely adding value today, and what barriers still exist around packaging, yield, reliability, and ecosystem readiness.