Insider Brief<\/p>\n
The University of Strathclyde<\/a> is leading a three-year, \u20ac2 million EU-funded project to develop quantum memories for long-distance quantum networks. <\/p>\n The AL FreSQO project will investigate cold-atom quantum memories, free-space optical links and wavelength conversion to support quantum communication over longer distances. <\/p>\n The technology could support quantum networking applications in space, aviation, shipping and rail, as well as secure communications, clock synchronization and sensing networks.<\/p>\n Press release \u2013 An international team of researchers is developing technology to enable long-range quantum networks.<\/p>\n The University of Strathclyde<\/a> is leading AL FreSQO (Atom-Light Free-Space Quantum Optics networking), a three-year, \u20ac2 million project funded by the European Union which will develop quantum \u2018memories\u2019 \u2013 systems to store quantum information \u2013 for communication networks based on cold atoms.<\/p>\n Quantum memories can be used in repeater devices that buffer data over long distance links, helping to mitigate signal loss through the distribution of entanglement.\u00a0<\/p>\n Quantum entanglement, which allows secure communications and enables more efficient sensing and computation, is a fundamental resource for quantum information technologies.<\/p>\n AL FreSQO will explore how quantum communications can operate using several technologies, including free-space optical links, as an alternative to fibre networks, and systems which inter-convert the wavelength of light between those used in telecommunications and those that can more easily \u2018talk\u2019 to quantum systems.<\/p>\n These approaches could reduce the need for bulky, energy-intensive cryogenic systems, which are frequently used for alternative quantum memory platforms.<\/p>\n Transport Applications<\/p>\n AL FreSQO technology could have applications in space, as well as aviation, shipping, rail and haulage, where optical fibre links are not practical.\u00a0<\/p>\n Strathclyde is working on the project with the Universities of Southampton and Padova, Humboldt University of Berlin, Sabanc\u0131 University in Istanbul Province and University of Padova spinout ThinkQuantum.<\/p>\n Professor Daniel Oi, of Strathclyde\u2019s Department of Physics, the lead coordinator of AL FreSQO, said:<\/p>\n \u201cQuantum signals are fragile and easily lost over long distances. Because they can\u2019t be copied or amplified, we need new ways to extend their range. Our approach uses repeater devices and quantum memories to break long links into shorter ones and reconnect them through entanglement swapping, allowing information to travel much further\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n The project brings together expertise in quantum optics, atomic and solid-state physics, and systems engineering.\u00a0<\/p>\n Professor Oi added: \u201cFree-space links are important where fibre networks are not practical, such as for satellite communications.<\/p>\n \u201cFrequency conversion allows us to connect free-space and fibre networks by matching different wavelengths, giving greater flexibility in how quantum networks are built.\u201d<\/p>\n As part of the project, Dr Aidan Arnold, a Reader in\u00a0Physics<\/a>\u00a0at Strathclyde, will carry out experiments in quantum non-demolition, detecting a photon without destroying it.<\/p>\n The research could support secure communications, clock synchronisation, sensing networks and, ultimately, the quantum internet. It could also help to train the next generation of quantum physicists.\u00a0 AL FreSQO is funded under QuantERA, a transnational quantum technologies programme supported by the European Commission.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Insider Brief The University of Strathclyde is leading a three-year, \u20ac2 million EU-funded project to develop quantum memories…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":604985,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[61,60,248,82],"class_list":["post-604984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-physics","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-physics","tag-science"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/604984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=604984"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/604984\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/604985"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=604984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=604984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=604984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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AL FreSQO is aligned with the\u00a0Integrated Quantum Networks Quantum Technology Research Hub<\/a>, one of four UK-wide quantum hubs in which Strathclyde is a partner, and follows the EPSRC International Network in Space Quantum Technologies, that was led by Strathclyde with Professor Oi as Principal Investigator. The project also supports the\u00a0UK National Quantum Strategy<\/a>, which aims to deliver advanced quantum networks at scale by 2035.<\/p>\n