The Quantum Communications Laboratory

The Quantum Communications Laboratory will be a QKD technologies integration center, coordinated from CSIC’s Institute of Physical Technologies (ITEFI), with the collaboration of both the Center for Materials Physics (CFM) and the Institute of Micro and Nanotechnology (IMN) in the tasks of components development, and supported by the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB) in the manufacturing processes. The Laboratory further plans to establish strategic agreements with other institutions and technology providers (such as INTA, UPM or IAC) for the components development and the supply of enabling technologies (pointing, turbulence correction, data processing software), along with support in QKD integration in space missions.



Figure 1. Quantum Communications Laboratory of ITEFI-CSIC. Experiments with different QKD technologies: discrete variable (DV-QKD), continuous (CV-QKD), integrated photonics and MDI-QKD are being developed in it.

 

The Laboratory will count with a base infrastructure for the development, integration and testing of QKD protocols in three strategic areas:

  • Air and air-to-fiber links in metropolitan networks. The Laboratory will create a permanent connection with the "Metropolitan Quantum Ring" of Madrid, managed by the UPM, REDIMadrid and Telefónica, through an air-to-fiber link. It will also establish an air-to-air connection for the research and study of long-distance metropolitan communications (~2km). Both types of connections will enable and promote the investigation of public and commercial use cases.

 



Figure 2. Air links connecting external nodes to the Madrid QKD quantum network within the European project Euro-QCI Spain, ref 1011091638.

 

 

  • QKD links for space applications. A ground satellite testbed will be developed to build and test QKD systems needed for space applications, such as automatic systems for polarization alignment, turbulence and vibration correction, etc.

Figure 3. Diagram of a polarization tracking system for LEO to ground links.

 

 

 

  • QKD links for mobile applications. The Laboratory will explore applications of QKD in mobile platforms such as UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) or drones, so as to provide secure connection to wireless networks within the IoT paradigm (Internet of Things) in future traffic control sensor networks, or that of autonomous cars, as well as protection of critical infrastructures (e.g. transport or energy networks).

1.b) Implementation of new QKD technologies

The Quantum Communications Laboratory will explore several promising avenues to generate new technology of commercial interest:

  • New QKD protocols implementation. Proofs of concept of novel protocols will be carried out in the fields of continuous-variable (CV-QKD) and "device-independent" (MDI) QKD, which provide security advantages against losses, distortions or attacks.

Figure 4. QKD continuous variable system.

Figure 5. MDI-QKD system in air.

 

 

 

  • New integrated photonics technologies for QKD will be demonstrated in collaboration with the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB):

Figure 6. Probe station for the characterization of QKD systems for integrated photonics.