Quantum Communications

Towards the quantum internet

Much research is currently being done both in the Netherlands and worldwide to design and develop quantum hardware that will form the building blocks of a future quantum internet. The quantum internet will enable new services, which transmit quantum information, in addition to the so-called classical internet services we use every day. However, new hardware alone is not enough to realise the vision of a quantum internet. This new hardware infrastructure will also require sophisticated control protocols to coordinate the movement of quantum bits through the network. In addition to this kind of low-level software, it is also envisaged that an Automation and Orchestration (A&O) platform will be needed.

Why quantum internet at SURF?

• Service and network management: as a network operator, SURF has extensive experience in designing, implementing and managing internet and internet-related services. This experience allows us to make a valuable contribution to ongoing research efforts by providing an operational perspective that is often missing from discussions on experimental network hardware and network infrastructure. SURF is currently exploring how our existing Network Automation and Orchestration platform can be used to integrate quantum services, such as quantum key distribution, into an operational network. The integration will also help researchers and vendors develop more mature technologies.

• Use cases: SURF is currently participating in the pan-European Quantum Internet Alliance project that aims to build a prototype quantum network, with both intra- and inter-city connectivity, by the end of the decade. In anticipation of a large-scale quantum internet network, it is important to understand what the main applications of this technology will be. This will allow researchers, businesses and policymakers to prepare for and evaluate its impact on their work and society as a whole. To this end, SURF, as part of the Quantum Internet Alliance, is working with an international group of researchers and experts to identify and analyse the most promising potential applications of the quantum internet.
  
• Quantum cryptography: the development of large, universal quantum computers threatens the current public-private key infrastructure used to authenticate and secure most internet traffic and financial transactions. Since it is not known exactly when quantum attacks on standard cryptography will become possible, it is important to future-proof the existing cryptographic infrastructure well before "Q-Day". Therefore, SURF is not only exploring how quantum secure cryptography, in the form of quantum key distribution, can be deployed in our network, but is also investigating how best to roll out the deployment of quantum-powered cryptography services and where they are most needed. We have therefore launched an open call, inviting researchers to engage with SURF on where and how quantum cryptography can be used in scientific applications in the medium term.
  
• Knowledge development and awareness: the second quantum revolution is expected to affect many parts of society, such as research institutes and IT organisations, both directly and indirectly. It is therefore of utmost importance that IT directors, managers of research programmes and information security officers are made aware that the topic of quantum technologies will become important to them in the future. Through workshops and publications, SURF will work to raise awareness about the impact of quantum technologies among these stakeholders.

Related projects

- Quantum network design: Netsquid

- Optimisation tools for experiments: YOTSE