Solid-state quantum communication technology

The research program will develop the quantum information devices required to create a quantum communication network for the ultra-secure transmission of data. The key technological challenge is to entangle the quantum state of two crystals separated by kilometers, and maintain this entanglement for many seconds. The devices to be developed include entangled photon sources, quantum memories for light and single photon detectors. The technology will be based on rare-earth optical centres in crystals.