Project description
Security vulnerabilities in quantum communication solutions
Communications networks have become critical to the operation of infrastructure, services, and our everyday lives, providing numerous benefits and connectivity. Unfortunately, this is also linked to increased risks of cyber vulnerabilities and security threats. These dangers have grown with the advent of quantum technologies. Quantum communication offers a promising solution, but its reliance on lasers as a light source has introduced additional security vulnerabilities. The ERC-funded ComPQT project aims to develop compact plug-and-play quantum terminals constructed using genuinely deterministic quantum light sources. The project will take the findings from the QD-Noms project, combining them with novel frequency synchronisation technologies.
Objective
Communications networks have brought incredible convenience to our lives, making it possible for billions of people to connect and communicate at the touch of a button. However, despite their ease of use, these networks remain vulnerable to security threats, with frequent cyber-attacks and the growing danger of quantum computing underscoring the need for stronger protections.
Quantum communication offers a potential solution against these security threats. Research institutions worldwide are making significant investments in this field, with many companies commercializing relevant products. However, most of these devices predominantly use lasers as light sources, which are probabilistic by nature and can cause security vulnerability.
This proposal aims to address this limitation. Compact plug-and-play quantum terminals will be built by using genuinely deterministic quantum light sources. They will serve as nodes in a clocked quantum network. Two mobile 19-inch rack-based terminals (‘transmitter’ and ‘receiver’) will be tested on a 79-kilometre quantum communication testbed that connects Hannover and Braunschweig. For demonstration purposes, one-way quantum key distribution will be realized by using these two terminals that are strictly time and frequency synchronized.
This proposal builds on the successful scientific outcome from the PI’s ERC Starting Grant 'QD-NOMS', i.e. semiconductor single and entangled photon pair sources. Combined with the ultra-stable time and frequency synchronization technologies that are being developed in the current ERC Consolidator Grant 'MiNet', the full-fledged plug-and-play terminals proposed here will be instrumental in demonstrating multipartite quantum communication in a large-scale photonic network. With the Proof-of-Concept grant, we aim to narrow the gap between the lab-based quantum photonic devices and real-world applications, and finally bring ComPQT to the pre-commercial stage via market analysis and IPR activities.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
30167 Hannover
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.