Project description
Innovative training in quantum-secure optical infrastructure
Data security is more critical than ever. Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides strong protection by using quantum information carried by photons. However, QKD systems face implementation challenges, including the need for a dedicated dark fibre, which makes them costly and impractical. Integrating quantum security into existing classical optical infrastructure requires a better understanding of the quantum/classical optical channel and the development of more advanced transceiver technology. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the QuNEST project will bring together industrial and academic partners with deep expertise in QKD technology and optical communications. The aim is to create a multidisciplinary training network for doctoral researchers, which will also help develop the future quantum-secure optical infrastructure.
Objective
The security of data has never been more valuable. Today, cryptography is critical to the safe operation of digital infrastructures. However, yearly advances in quantum computing present new threats. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) may provide the best protection, an approach designed to ensure privacy using quantum information encoded on photons. In theory, QKD is proven secure. In practice, QKD systems deviate from this theoretical behaviour due to implementation. Currently, QKD requires a separate dark fibre due to its susceptibility to classical channel effects (e.g. noise, Kerr non-linear interference, and scattering effects). Separating QKD from classical optical signals is costly and impractical, keeping QKD a niche product. Therefore, network providers seek quantum security to coexist in existing classical optical infrastructure. A better understanding of a quantum/classical optical channel is needed to develop improved channel coding, robust error-correcting schemes, digital signal processing, and optoelectronic components for the transceivers. In addition, a study on network topologies and integrating classical to quantum signals on implementation security is needed. The doctoral research network - QuNEST aims to gather diverse industrial and academic partners with strong scientific and technical expertise in QKD technology and optical communications to establish a new, innovative, multi-disciplinary, training network for doctoral researchers (DR). With the high-level objective of training experts to design, develop, and drive the future quantum secure optical infrastructure forward. This doctoral network will train 11 DR fellows, leaning on the expertise of 17 partners: 6 universities, and 11 Industrial partners (i.e. 1 Simulation software provider, 2 Telecom operators, 2 SMEs and 6 hardware vendors). From 7 European countries, QuNEST provides a unique and timely opportunity to train students in quantum physics and optical communications
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftware
- natural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicstopology
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputer securitycryptography
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcomputer hardwarequantum computers
- natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsphotons
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral NetworksCoordinator
5612 AE Eindhoven
Netherlands
See on map
Participants (8)
2800 Kongens Lyngby
See on map
76131 Karlsruhe
See on map
00-927 Warszawa
See on map
67100 L Aquila
See on map
10587 Berlin
See on map
12489 BERLIN
See on map
91300 Massy
See on map
90762 Furth
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partners (8)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
81541 Munchen
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
1227 CAROUGE GENEVE
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
50125 Firenze
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
3460 Birkerod
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
35-032 Rzeszów
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
04 164 WARSZAWA
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
1211 Geneve
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
20123 Milano
See on map