Project Details
This project will develop practical fiber-optic quantum communication networks for connecting devices in quantum information. Advances in quantum networks are critical to realize the full potential of the scientific applications of quantum information science, especially those that rely on distributed processing such as quantum sensing, distributed quantum computing, quantum key distribution, and quantum cloud computing. We propose to overcome current technical challenges by researching, developing, and testing a new generation of photonic quantum networks that leverage existing lightwave technologies and can coexist with classical networks in the same fiber-optic telecommunication infrastructure. We will concentrate on three research goals. First, we will design and experimentally test a complete fiber-optic network supporting coexistent quantum and classical communications. Second, we will address the crucial requirement of scalability by designing novel photonic integrated circuits that can realize optical processing capabilities on chip. Third, we will develop devices for controlling, reading out, and converting information from leading qubit technologies. Upon successful completion, this project will deliver protocols, designs, and physical systems for hybrid quantum and classical networking, attaining hitherto missing functionalities for network processing nodes and flexible interfaces for edge nodes, thereby facilitating practical quantum networks over campus and metropolitan scales.
External collaborators: Andy Weiner (Purdue University), Seongsin Kim (University of Alabama), Mike Fanto (Air Force Research Laboratory), Steven Estrella (Freedom Photonics)
