Intracity Quantum Communication via Thermal Microwave Networks

March 27, 2017

In collaboration with Peter Rabl’s group, our paper on “Intracity Quantum Communication via Thermal Microwave Networks” is published in PRX.

Communication over proven-secure quantum channels is potentially one of the most wide-ranging applications of currently developed quantum technologies. It is generally envisioned that in future quantum networks, separated nodes containing stationary solid-state or atomic qubits are connected via the exchange of optical photons over large distances. In this work, we explore an intriguing alternative for quantum communication via all-microwave networks. To make this possible, we describe a general protocol for sending quantum states through thermal channels, even when the number of thermal photons in the channel is much larger than 1. The protocol can be implemented with state-of-the-art superconducting circuits and enables the transfer of quantum states over distances of about 100 m via microwave transmission lines cooled to only T=4K. This opens up new possibilities for quantum communication within and across buildings and, consequently, for the implementation of intracity quantum networks based on microwave technology only.

See News Reports: [Physics Viewpoint] Microwave Quantum States Beat the Heat

External link: https://journals.aps.org/prx/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevX.7.011035