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The Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) is part of the new project QR.N (Quantum Repeater.Net). Together with project partners, the institute is developing networked quantum repeaters for future end-to-end security in communication networks. The project runs from January 2025 to December 2027 and is funded with a total of € 19.8 million by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, with approximately € 600,000 allocated to Fraunhofer HHI.
The risk of IT sabotage, cyber espionage, and 'hybrid warfare' is currently at an all-time high. To ensure reliable protection, Germany needs a quantum-secured IT infrastructure. Quantum networks leverage the principles of quantum mechanics, especially quantum entanglement, to enable fully secure, eavesdrop-proof communication. Any attempt to manipulate or access quantum states is immediately detected, exposing potential attacks in real time.
A foundation of such networks is the quantum repeater. It functions much like traditional repeaters—such as those used in Wi-Fi—significantly extending the range of data transmission. Only through this extension can researchers build large quantum networks. Furthermore, quantum repeaters can securely connect future quantum computers.
"Quantum networks are essential for protecting critical infrastructure," explains Dr. Nicolas Perlot, Group Head at Fraunhofer HHI. "Because of the quantum physical principles on which these networks are based, they offer a high level of security against espionage or sabotage."
However, realizing quantum repeaters and, in the long term, end-to-end quantum networks is a technical challenge. The quantum states used for communication in the network must be generated with high precision, stored temporarily, and transmitted with minimal loss. To transform a simple connection between two points into a full network, the researchers need nodes to temporarily store these quantum states and pass them on to the next node. This is where the repeaters come into play.
To develop the quantum repeater, the QR.N team will build on the results from the predecessor project "Quantum Repeater.Link (QR.X)". Taking the next step, the researchers will demonstrate the technology for the first time on test routes outside of laboratory environments. Additionally, they will investigate which hardware basis is best suited for a quantum network. Foundations for quantum memory and quantum networks could, for example, be individual atoms and ions or semiconductor structures.
The project consortium will also work on cross-platform methods and protocols, combining various hardware platforms into hybrid systems with the goal of enabling hardware-independent quantum nodes. Finally, the researchers will develop processes to integrate existing classical communication networks with methods of quantum entanglement—the fundamental principle of quantum technology.
QR.N is coordinated by Saarland University. In addition to Fraunhofer HHI, the project consortium includes other research and industry partners:
Deutsche Telekom, Freie Universität Berlin, HighFinesse Laser and Electronic Systems GmbH, Humboldt University of Berlin, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Leibniz University of Hanover, Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Qlibri GmbH, Qubig GmbH, Technical University of Berlin, Technical University of Dresden, Technical University of Munich, Technical University of Carolo-Wilhelmina Braunschweig, Rhine-Westphalian Friedrich-Wilhelms University Bonn, Ruhr University Bochum, Technical University of Dortmund, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, University of Oldenburg, University of Kassel, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, University of Paderborn, University of Stuttgart, University of Ulm, and Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg.
Dr.-Ing. Nicolas Perlot
Head of Free-Space Optical Systems Group
Phone +49 30 31002-782
nicolas.perlot@hhi.fraunhofer.de
https://www.hhi.fraunhofer.de/abteilungen/pn/projekte/quantenrepeaternet-qrn.htm...
QR.N project
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QR.N project
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