Munich Quantum Communication Laboratory

• Subject Area: Hardware Systems and Architectures for Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Engineering Systems ; Communication Technology and Networks, High-Frequency Technology and Photonic Systems, Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Information Technology ; Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 491576645

In the 20th century, progress in the fundamental research on semiconductors has led to the development of novel communication and information processing technologies which represent the foundation of our modern society. In a similar fashion, it is expected that quantum technologies will revolutionize our life by exploiting quantum mechanical effects for novel technological applications in the areas of communication, information processing and sensing.For future communication systems, e.g. facilitating security and privacy protection guaranteed by physical principles, it is indispensable to make use of quantum technologies. Therefore, in recent years large efforts have been made in fundamental research to investigate quantum mechanical effects and systems. This has demonstrated the feasibility and potential of quantum technologies and even led to first prototypes of building blocks for communication systems. However, transitioning to real-world applications requires to investigate the interplay of different functional building blocks on a systems level, and to co-design hardware and communication protocols to achieve efficient and robust operation under real-world conditions.In this major instrumentation proposal, researchers from Munich apply for funding to establish a dedicated laboratory for this task, the Munich Quantum Communication Laboratory (MQCL). This laboratory, combined with the complimentary and leading expertise of the interdisciplinary consortium will allow to address the key questions in all areas of quantum communication. These areas are: Quantum key distribution, entanglement-enhanced communication, quantum tokens for authentication purposes, and quantum networks. Quantum key distribution addresses the distribution of secret keys, whereby the security is guaranteed by physical principles. Entanglement-enhanced communication uses quantum channels to obtain performance improvements in transmitting classical information. Quantum tokens exploit quantum mechanics for authentication purposes. Quantum networks are based on remote entanglement and use low-loss photonic channels to link stationary quantum processors, e.g. for distributed quantum computation.Specific research tasks to be addressed are the interplay of building blocks on a systems level, coding possibilities under real-world conditions, efficient protocols for non-perfect systems, compensating attacks via quantum coding, proof of semantic security for fiber optic systems, quantum-enhanced communication, memory-enhanced quantum communication, distribution of entanglement over large distance fiber links, quantum repeaters, quantum communication based on highly-entangled photonic graph states, efficient hardware solution via integration of radiofrequency circuit technology and quantum state transduction.

• DFG Programme: Major Instrumentation Initiatives
• Major Instrumentation: Arbitrary function generator ; Frequency comb ; Optical closed-cycle cryostat ; Optical closed-cycle cryostat with vector magnet ; Signal (microwave) generator ; Single photon detection system ; Spectrometer with detectors ; Tunable Laser ; Tunable cavity
• Instrumentation Group: 1800 Spektralphotometer (UV, VIS), Spektrographen (außer Monochromatoren 565) ; 8520 Kryostaten, Tauchkühler (bis -100 Grd C) ; 8550 Spezielle Kryostaten (für tiefste Temperaturen)
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Participating Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik (MPQ) ; Abteilung Quantendynamik; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Fakultät für Physik; Experimentelle Quantenphysik
• Leader: Professor Dr. Kai Müller
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr.-Ing. Holger Boche; Dr. Christian Deppe; Professor Dr. Jonathan J. Finley; Professor Dr. Alexander Högele; Professor Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Kellerer; Dr. Janis Nötzel; Professor Dr. Andreas Reiserer; Professor Dr. Gerhard Rempe; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Antonia Wachter-Zeh; Professorin Dr. Eva M. Weig; Professor Dr. Harald Weinfurter