Deploying an Inter‐European Quantum Network

Abstract

Around 40 years have passed since the first pioneering works introduced the possibility of using quantum physics to enhance communications safety. Nowadays, quantum key distribution (QKD) exited the physics laboratories to become a mature technology, triggering the attention of States, military forces, banks, and private corporations. This work takes on the challenge of bringing QKD closer to a consumer technology: deployed optical fibers by telecommunication companies of different States have been used to realize a quantum network, the first-ever connecting three different countries. This work also emphasizes the necessity of networks where QKD can come up besides classical communications, whose coexistence currently represents the main limitation of this technology. This network connects Trieste to Rijeka and Ljubljana via a trusted node in Postojna. A key rate of over 3 kbps in the shortest link and a 7-hour-long measurement demonstrate the system's stability and reliability. The network has been used to present the QKD at the G20 Digital Ministers' Meeting in Trieste. The experimental results, together with the interest that one of the most important events of international politics has attracted, showcase the maturity of the QKD technology bundle, placing it in the spotlight for consumer applications in the near term.

Implementation of Italian industry 4.0 quantum testbed in Turin

“…Nowadays, the majority of implemented and commercial QKD systems employ, as single-photon sources, classical lasers attenuated to the single-photon level. In order to protect the QKD system from a possible number splitting attack (that exploits the possible multi-photon events), the decoy method is employed, which consists in the random use of different intensities in the preparation of the quantum states [9][10][11].…”

Application and Development of QKD-Based Quantum Secure Communication

“…In 2019, the Open European Quantum Key Distribution Testbed project supported more than twenty EU projects and teams to conduct experiments on QKD networks and cryptographic applications. Initial construction of inter-European quantum networks for deployment and applications have begun [ 86 ].…”

Quantum Communication Networks for Energy Applications: Review and Perspective

“…[ 174 ] Today, quantum communications and cryptography systems are used in several places including banks, corporations, government agencies and other commercial institutions. [ 175 ] This quantum technology's maturity is highlighted by the fact that QKD has been commercialized for nearly two decades, has been demonstrated in a variety of commercially viable applications, and is currently available using various platforms produced by different companies around the globe. Moreover, faster and more secure QKD systems are expected to be available soon that rely upon the satellite‐based quantum communication systems, which should further accelerate commercialization and widespread adoption.…”