Solid state quantum network

An ERA-NET ("CHIST-ERA") project funded by European national research councils, including EPSRC to develop solid-state quantum dot single/entangled photon sources, and a spin-photon interface quantum memory, as a means to increase quantum communication distances.

Quantum communication is a means of transmitting single particles of light in quantum states, such as superposition states or entangled states. These may be used for many applications, the most important being cryptography, which uses the fact the quantum states cannot be read without being destroyed. Sending single photons over telecommunication channels could be the future basis of absolutely secure banking and communication, but at present, the distance is limited by photon loss. Our solid-state quantum memories allow one to extend these distances much further and make a working technology more viable.