Project: Metrology for industrial quantum communication technologies

Quantum communication technologies such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) can improve the security of the ever-increasing amount of sensitive information that is stored, transferred and accessed over computer networks. The unique feature of QKD is that, when implemented correctly, the system guarantees that the encryption key has not been intercepted. It works by transmitting information in a photon in a particular ‘quantum state’ and then detecting if an intruder has disturbed that state. In theory it is extremely effective but there are no agreed methods to demonstrate that practical implementations are robust. This project developed a series of measurements that are sensitive enough to characterise the properties of individual particles of light, as well as the single-photon detectors which QKD systems use. The project has laid the foundations for a European measurement infrastructure able to validate the performance of QKD systems, and technologies that use and manipulate single photons, important in the development of next-generation communication systems and quantum networks.

Acronym	IND06 MIQC (Reference Number: IND06)
Duration	01/09/2011 - 31/08/2014
Project Topic	Metrology
Project Results (after finalisation)	See Website
Website	visit project website
Network	EMRP
Call	EMRP Call 2010 - Industry and Environment

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica	Coordinator	Italy
2	Aalto-korkeakoulusäätiö	Partner	Finland
3	Cesky Metrologicky Institut	Partner	Czech Republic
4	AS Metrosert	Partner	Estonia
5	NPL Management Limited	Partner	United Kingdom
6	Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt	Partner	Germany
7	AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH	Observer	Austria
8	ID Quantique SA	Observer	Switzerland
9	Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science	Observer	Korea, Republic of
10	Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy	Partner	Finland
11	ID Quantique SA		Switzerland