Our goal is to build an optically-connected network of many (small) quantum computers. Such a network enables the exchange of quantum bits between any of the connected quantum processors in order to solve problems that are intractable classically.
A quantum network in which the processors are located at different geographical locations is called a quantum Internet. Our goal is to develop the technology to enable quantum communication between any two places on earth. One application of such a quantum internet is to provide a fundamentally secure way of communication in which privacy is guaranteed by the laws of physics.
Quantum processors can also be connected into a quantum network in order to assemble a large quantum computing cluster. This approach is called networked quantum computing and offers a natural path towards scalability. Combining a quantum internet and a networked quantum computer finally allows remote users/providers to perform secure quantum computing “in the cloud”.
Working towards a networked quantum computer, the first milestone is to develop quantum error correction. Quantum error correction is essential for large-scale quantum systems. By encoding a logical quantum bit in multiple physical qubits it becomes possible to detect and correct errors so that the quantum system becomes more stable with increasing size. We have recently demonstrated the first complete cycle of quantum error correction using a 4-qubit diamond processor. In the next years, we aim to realize a logical qubit that is protected against all types of quantum errors. A second milestone is to demonstrate the use of a networked quantum computer to execute a small-scale distributed quantum algorithm.
Working towards a quantum Internet, the five-year objective of the roadmap is a rudimentary multi-node quantum Internet that connects four different cities in the Netherlands. Recently, we passed an important milestone towards this goal: the first “loophole-free Bell test”. In a loophole-free Bell test two remote systems – in our case 1.3 kilometers apart – show correlations that defy any explanation through classical physics. In addition to its fundamental importance for our worldview, this experiment directly distributes an intrinsically secure random key for communication. Importantly, because all loopholes are closed, it is impossible for an eavesdropper to intercept or fake the key without being noticed.
Along the road to a quantum Internet, there are several milestones. The most important is overcoming the inevitable imperfections in the quantum processors and connections through techniques such as quantum repeaters. A quantum repeater is the basic unit needed for extending quantum networks over longer distances. We aim to demonstrate the quantum repeater principle within the next years by connecting two nodes more than 1 km apart via several rounds of entanglement generation and purification.
This roadmap is also the coordinator of The Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA), a collaboration of 23 European partners from academia and industry with the objective of further developing all necessary components of a quantum internet. The aim is to make concrete steps in advancing the technology for realization and market readiness. The project encompasses aspects including end-node hardware, network repeater hardware, quantum network control and applications, integration and blueprint development. More information and news can be found on the QIA website and twitter @eu_ia.
21 August 2019
World’s first link layer protocol brings quantum internet closer to a realityResearchers from QuTech have achieved a world's first in quantum internet technology. A team led by Professor Stephanie Wehner has…
Read more19 June 2019
KPN and QuTech join forces to make quantum internet a realityKPN and QuTech signed a new cooperative agreement, to work together on making quantum internet a reality. KPN will be…
Read more04 June 2019
TU Delft presents publication on impact of quantum internetEmerging quantum technologies will impact industry and society at large, but how and to what extent we do not know…
Read more29 January 2019
Stephanie Wehner wins Ammodo Science Award 2019Stephanie Wehner, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Professor in quantum information at QuTech, Delft University of Technology, wins prestigious Ammodo Science Award…
Read more18 October 2018
QuTech researchers put forward a roadmap for quantum internet developmentA quantum internet may very well be the first quantum information technology to become reality. Researchers at QuTech in Delft,…
Read more13 June 2018
Delft scientists make first ‘on demand’ entanglement linkResearchers at QuTech in Delft have succeeded in generating quantum entanglement between two quantum chips faster than the entanglement is…
Read more14 February 2018
Creating a quantum internetNature wrote an article about recent quantum internet developments. ‘The quantum internet has arrived (and it hasn’t) - Networks that…
Read more09 January 2018
Wolfgang Tittel joins QuTech Quantum Internet teamWe are proud to announce that, starting April 2018, prof. dr. Wolfgang Tittel will join QuTech in the development of…
Read more01 January 2018
Testing quantum repeaters and quantum memoriesQuantum bits are highly delicate and must be protected against noise and imperfections to realize a large scale quantum internet…
Read more31 October 2017
Bas Hensen wins prize for best physics thesisBas Hensen has won the NWO Physics Thesis Award 2017 with his thesis ‘Quantum Nonlocality with Spins in Diamond’. In…
Read more09 October 2017
Quantum Internet cooperationQuantum Internet cooperation between QuTech, The Institute of Photonic Sciences, the University of Innsbrück and The Paris Centre for Quantum…
Read more09 October 2017
New Quantum Helix Entangles Researchers and Companies in Vision2020Today, professor Stephanie Wehner kicked off the Quantum Helix initiative at QuTech in Delft. This initiative, within the Horizon 2020…
Read more31 August 2017
John Stewart Bell Prize for Ronald HansonThe biennial ‘John Stewart Bell Prize for Research on Fundamental Issues in Quantum Mechanics and Their Applications’ for 2017 has…
Read more01 June 2017
One step closer to the quantum internet by distillationScientists all over the world are working towards new methods to realize an unhackable internet, an internet based on quantum…
Read more30 May 2017
Tim Taminiau receives NWO Vidi grantQuTech researcher Tim Taminiau is awarded a Dutch Vidi grant by NWO for his work on the protection of quantum…
Read more08 May 2017
Quantum Software Consortium receives 18.8 million euro in the Gravitation ProgramThe ministry for Education, Culture and Science has awarded a Gravitation grant for large-scale research on quantum software. This grant…
Read more30 June 2016
Ronald Hanson genomineerd voor de De Huibregtsenprijs 2016De Huibregtsenprijs is bestemd voor een onderzoeksproject dat wetenschappelijk vernieuwend is en dat zicht biedt op een maatschappelijke toepassing. Uit…
Read more05 May 2016
Researchers demonstrate error-corrected building block of a quantum computerQuantum computers are based on qubits that, unlike classical bits, can not only take the values 0 or 1 but…
Read more12 February 2016
Ronald Hanson awarded Vici grantThe Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) announced that Prof Ronald Hanson have been arwarded a Vici grant. The funding…
Read more21 January 2016
Bas Hensen in Forbes 30 under 30Super-secure communications Bas Hensen (29) was selected for the sector Science & Healthcare for his research on quantum teleportation. According…
Read more10 December 2015
Julia Cramer wins ScienceBattleFour PhD students will compete in the Science Battle: Who has the best story about his or her research? Do…
Read more18 November 2015
ERC Starting Grant for Stephanie WehnerQuantum networks are still in their infancy, even though quantum communication offers unparalleled advantages over classical communication. Quantum cryptography in…
Read more15 October 2015
Loophole-free Bell testIn 1935, Einstein asked a profound question about our understanding of Nature: are objects only influenced by their nearby environment?…
Read more01 August 2015
Quantum ConferenceThe Netherlands is planning to organize a Quantum Technologies conference in spring 2016 in Amsterdam in cooperation with the European…
Read more07 July 2015
De computer van de toekomstNederland zet in op de computertechnologie van de toekomst. Het Delftse lab QuTech krijgt 135 miljoen euro voor de ontwikkeling…
Read more15 June 2015
Quantum is echt iets voor meisjesJulia Cramer blogt sinds mei voor Faces of Science. De promovenda bij de vakgroep quantum transport geeft in haar blogs…
Read more12 June 2015
2015 Fresnel Prize for fundamental aspects is awarded to Tim TaminiauThese are the two EPS/QEOD prizes awarded for outstanding contributions to quantum electronics and optics made by young scientists before…
Read more01 June 2015
Investment Quantum TechnologyOver the next ten years, six parties will be investing €135 million in QuTech, the quantum technology institute which aims…
Read more29 May 2015
New research and education partnershipThe Dutch king and queen visited the University of Waterloo and witnessed two of the world’s leading innovation universities announcing a…
Read more11 February 2015
Wetenschap Vandaag | Hoe efficiënt is die nano-machine?Onderzoekers uit Delft hebben een belangrijke stap gezet voor de ontwikkeling van nano-machines, dus machientjes op het formaat van een…
Read more10 February 2015
Veilig kwantuminformatie versturenAan mijn onderzoek zitten zowel praktische als fundamentele kanten. Praktisch is dat we een kwantumnetwerk willen bouwen. Maar daarbij loop…
Read more01 February 2015
QuTech with Minster Kamp in ChinaQuTech’s Prof. Ronald Hanson and dr. Hannes Bernien joined the Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp on a trip to…
Read more06 November 2014
Icoonstatus voor Quantum TechnologyDe Nederlandse regering heeft het onderzoek naar de Quantum Technology (QuTech) de status gegeven van Nationaal Icoon. Dit maakte minister…
Read more04 October 2014
Quantumbelofte Stephanie WehnerWetenschappers, debutanten, pas gepromoveerden die we in de gaten moeten houden. Deze week quantumbelofte Stephanie Wehner kiest voor Delft. Lees…
Read more16 June 2014
Einsteins ongelijkTerwijl heel Nederland naar het WK kijkt of vakantie viert, werkt de groep van Ronald Hanson deze zomer gewoon door.…
Read more05 June 2014
Media Magnet: Hanson publication on teleportationThe publication by Ronald Hanson and his diamond team on teleportation spread like wildfire in media across the world. Here we…
Read more01 June 2014
Scientists cite progress in refuting EinsteinScientists in the Netherlands have moved a step closer to overriding one of Albert Einstein’s most famous objections to the…
Read more25 May 2014
Beam me up, dataTeleporting information is another matter, however, thanks to the extraordinary world of quantum mechanics. Researchers at TU Delft's Kavli Institute…
Read more18 March 2014
Nederlands Tijdschrift voor NatuurkundeDoor gebruik te maken van superpositie en verstrengeling kunnen quantumcomputers en quantumnetwerken taken verrichten die met de huidige ICT gebaseerd…
Read more