EuroQCI The European Quantum Communication Infrastructure Initiative

Slovenian Quantum Communication Infrastructure Demonstration

Objectives:

•      Build architecture and prepare EuroQCI integration

•      Improved security

•      Industrialization & autonomy

•      Deployment & integration

•      Measurements and lessons learned

•      Train young researchers and engineers

•      Grow national expertise

Key Contacts:

•      Anton Ramšak – Project Coordinator

•      Rainer Kaltenbaek – Scientific & Technical Coordinator

•      Barbara Dorić – Project Manager

Coordinator:

•      UL FMF; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (Anton Ramšak and Rainer Kaltenbaek)

Partners:

•      IJS; Jozef Stefan Institute (Peter Jeglič)

•      Beyond Semiconductor (Matjaž Breskvar)

•      URSIV; Government Information Security Office (Marjan Kavčič)

•      UVTP; Government Office for the Protection of Classified Information (Mojca Mikac)  

Background:

The volume of internet traffic increases enormously every year, and with it the number of security breaches and the total number of classified information disclosed. Such developments require increasingly sophisticated protection methods if we are to reduce the risks of potential attacks. Quantum communications is a physical solution for absolutely secure communications for government, defence, and critical infrastructure. In this scenario, quantum key distribution (QKD) is a protocol that enables theoretically unconditionally secure data communications using the laws of quantum physics. In all other (classical) information transmission technologies, it is possible to intercept the transmitted key so that it can be copied without the sender and receiver noticing. In the context of quantum technology, this is not possible, but the implementation itself is technologically extremely demanding, which is also the reason why it is only 100 years after the discovery of the laws of quantum mechanics that their application is slowly gaining acceptance.

The SiQUID (Slovenian Quantum Communication Infrastructure Demonstration) project will establish quantum key distribution links between several state nodes in Slovenia and a test quantum network between research institutions in Ljubljana for advanced quantum communication protocols. We will coordinate our efforts with public and industrial stakeholders and train key personnel, young researchers and engineers in quantum technology. The first test nodes will be established between research institutions in Ljubljana and will be based on state-of-the-art entanglement distribution protocol. The entangled photons will be generated through a process called spontaneous parametric down conversion. This is a nonlinear optical process taking place in a periodically-poled lithium niobate crystal, integrated in an interferometer. The secret key is generated upon detection in randomly chosen polarization bases. This will form the basis for implementing QKD links between government nodes. To reduce the cost of future QKD networks, SiQUID will investigate the feasibility of cheaper detection node alternatives by balancing cost against the key rates achievable in metropolitan links.

In addition, we will test entanglement swapping protocol, which is a crucial step towards communication between distant users and future full-scale quantum communication network. We are in close contact with QCI initiatives in neighbouring countries to facilitate harmonisation of national efforts and enable future cross-border interconnections and implementation of the EuroQCI space segment.

Planned QKD network:

Laboratories:

· Laboratory for quantum optics and quantum foundations (FMF)
Instagram: @quantumlaibach

· Slovenian cold atom lab (F5, IJS)
Instagram: @ultracoollab

· Laboratory for open systems and networks (F5, IJS)

· Department of communication systems (F6, IJS)

Slika 1 Group at FMF.

Slika 2 Group at IJS.

Media presence:

· Instagram: @quantumlaibach

· Instagram: @ultracoollab

· Youtube: SiQUID kick-off

· Digitalna Slovenija: podcast on quantum technologies

· Akademska TV: future quantum technologies

· Radiosfera: podcast on quantum future

· TV show Znanost in tehnologija

· News article "Quantum communication is secret communication"

· Podcast "kibernetsko-varna-zoffa"

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References:

· ULČAKAR Lara, BENEDIČIČ Izidor, UDOVIČIČ Adrian, Deliverable D4.2: Entanglement source (2024).

· PUŠAVEC Žiga, ULČAKAR Lara, KALTENBAEK Rainer, Designing a compact cavity-enhanced source of entangled photons , arXiv:2408.16666 (2024).

•    RIBEZZO Domenico, PUŠAVEC Žiga, KALTENBAEK Rainer, RAMŠAK Anton, et al. Deploying an inter-European quantum network, Advanced Quantum Technologies  6,  2200061 (2023).