Project MoNeQua II

Confidential communication is a cornerstone of society. In particular, the secure transmission of information is extremely important when it comes to protecting individual privacy, securing critical infrastructure such as power plants, supply grids, and IT centers, and safeguarding democratic structures.

Advancing digitalization in almost all areas of society calls for the collection, processing, and storage of an ever-greater quantity of information in digital form. This, in turn, relies on efficient and trustworthy encryption mechanisms.

Quantum communication represents a notable step in this direction, allowing a key of almost any length to be securely exchanged between the sender and recipient of a transmission. Fundamental physical principles mean that the transmission cannot be cracked, and this technology can therefore help secure the exchange of data between parties in the event of strict data protection or confidentiality requirements.

Project aims

With a view to anchoring the topic of quantum communication within the research landscape of the Free State of Saxony, the existing application center for the “Design of Scalable Electronic Systems for Quantum Communication” at Fraunhofer IIS/EAS is to be further expanded. The center will provide quantum communication systems that serve as a flexible experimental environment and as a test environment for the development of nanoelectronic circuits. At the same time, the plans envisage a gradual increase in signal transmission distances – expanding out of the local and urban environment in Saxony to reach the neighboring federal states of Bavaria and Thuringia. In the states of Saxony, Bavaria, and Thuringia, supporting initiatives will develop the respective research infrastructure within the framework of application laboratories.

Approach

Above all, the further development of systems for quantum communication focuses on optical components. Likewise, harnessing the potential of cutting-edge nanoelectronic technologies paves the way for designing and miniaturizing versatile systems with significantly better performance. Systems for quantum key distribution have a heterogeneous structure consisting of optical components, optoelectronic converters, and electronic assemblies.

The focus of research in the current project is on nanoelectronic components and particularly on their development with a view to maximum performance, modular and universal applications in multiple variants of quantum key distribution, and the miniaturization of such systems.

This work builds upon the results of initial funding provided to set up the application center for the “Design of Scalable Electronic Systems for Quantum Communication.” The center aims to anchor this topic within the research landscape of the Free State of Saxony on a lasting basis.