Quantum Communication
Quantum Communication aims at transmitting information between remote locations, linking quantum systems, and enabling communication with security guaranteed by physical principles. It capitalizes on the no-cloning theorem, stating that quantum states cannot be copied. Presently, commercially available quantum communication devices have limited ranges, spanning a few hundred kilometers. To address this limitation, quantum repeaters would be required to extend the distances between trusted nodes.
Fully quantum repeater schemes rely on two essential components: a compact quantum processor and a quantum interface that can efficiently convert information into photons. The quantum processor serves as a powerful computational unit, processing and manipulating quantum information with high precision. The quantum interface acts as a bridge between the quantum processor and the transmission medium, facilitating the seamless conversion of quantum information into photons for transmission.
Research at ZQE is dedicated to implementing advanced quantum communication systems using several different physical platforms, such as trapped atoms, quantum dots, or individual dopants in pure materials like silicon. The development and optimization of the required components paves the way for reliable long-distance quantum communication networks and is instrumental in establishing the quantum internet.