Fraunhofer ILT initiating strategic alliances with quantum partners

14 Mar 2022

“EIN Quantum NRW” competence network to advance photonics-based quantum technologies.

On March 7, 2022, leading universities and research institutions in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) state government launched the competence network EIN Quantum NRW.

The network partners are pooling their expertise in researching and implementing quantum technologies to help players from industry and science network more effectively, and to create a broad knowledge infrastructure. Also involved is the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, which is focusing on technology transfer to industry.

Together with the Fraunhofer Institutes FHR (High Frequency Physics & Radar), IAIS (Intelligent Analysis & Information Systems), IMS (Microelectronics) and SCAI (Scientific Computing) located in NRW, Fraunhofer ILT (Laser Technology) and the Research Center Jülich are establishing a Center of Quantum Science and Engineering in the Rhineland region.

On an international level, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the Dutch research center QuTech – a collaboration of TU Delft and TNO – already joined forces in December 2021, signing a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of quantum networks.

In the run-up to this cooperation, Fraunhofer ILT and QuTech developed a quantum frequency converter (QFC) with a world record for low noise – a significant step toward achieving a stable quantum internet. The partners said that “the overall QFC efficiency is comparable to that of converters based on conventional design principles”.

However, compared to the current state of the art in NV (nitrogen vacancy) center qubits, the number of noise photons is simultaneously reduced by at least a factor of four, resulting in a significantly increased signal-to-noise ratio for the transfer of quantum information.

This is a prerequisite for the rapid networking of quantum computers at different locations, especially via already installed fiber optic lines. Using this as a basis, Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen is planning to set up the first German quantum node in a transnational quantum network coordinated by QuTech, which includes the cities of Delft, Leiden, The Hague and Amsterdam.

Laser Technology Congress AKL´22

Results from quantum research, potentials of new quantum technologies and current approaches for industrial applications are the focus of the new expert forum “Quantum Technology & Photonics” at the upcoming AKL´22 – International Laser Technology Congress, hosted by Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen.

On Wednesday May 4, 2022, quantum technology experts and interested parties from industry and academia will gather at AKL´22 to explore current photonic developments in quantum computing, sensing, and communication with speakers from renowned institutions.