Research project is (co) funded by the Slovenian Research Agency.
UL Member: Faculty of Mathematics and Physics
Code: J2-2514
Project: Development of building blocks for new European quantum communication network
Period: 1. 9. 2020 - 31. 8. 2023
Range per year: 1,26 category: D
Head: Anton Ramšak
Research activity: Natural sciences and mathematics
Research Organisations, Researchers and Citations for bibliographic records
Project description:
Quantum technology promises applications beyond the capabilities of established technologies. Well-known examples are quantum computers and quantum-enhanced sensing. Harnessing the full potential of quantum technology will require the establishment of quantum networks that distribute quantum resources between distant communication partners. In what has become a quantum technology race, significant global efforts have been put into realizing the central building blocks and the infrastructure for this new technology. China launched the first quantum satellite, and they established a large network of rudimentary quantum nodes. Last year, the US enacted the National Quantum Initiative Act, focusing efforts towards quantum networks, quantum communication and quantum computing. In Europe, the Quantum Flagship was an important step to keep abreast of these developments, but it mostly boosted research efforts in some parts of Western Europe. The present project aims to realize central building blocks for building a quantum network in South-Eastern Europe. These efforts will strengthen quantum expertise in Slovenia and Croatia and establish our countries as competitive partners in quantum technology. In particular, we will realize several key ingredients of a quantum internet: narrow-band sources compatible with telecom wavelengths and with atom-based quantum memories. This will allow a proof-of-principle demonstration towards the key missing ingredient for global quantum networks: a quantum repeater. Research and development activities will strengthen research capacities and foster collaboration between groups in Slovenia and Croatia and establish a necessary critical mass to connect local quantum network to those operating at the European level.
