Fibre Wavelength Quantum Networks (FQNet)

The Sheffield team with the National Epitaxy Facility will demonstrate entangled LEDs emitting at the commercially important fibre wavelength of 1550nm. Building on work in two previous IUK projects, the team will develop new LED structures that optimise single photon light extraction and allow the LEDs to be demonstrated in a GHz clocked high fidelity quantum network. The complete system will be demonstrated with our industrial partners Toshiba and BT Labs and will provide a major step forward in demonstrating the feasibility of solid-state entangled LED systems for high fidelity Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) fibre networks and the overall development of quantum communications technologies.

Exploitable outcomes will include IPR and technology related to single photon generation, growth of quantum dots and fabrication of quantum devices suitable for quantum relays and quantum key distribution operating at GHz frequencies. We will exploit the outcomes of the project through a close interaction with the EPSRC Quantum Technology Hubs, particularly the York hub developing quantum communications technologies in close partnership with Toshiba research labs with a major demonstration of the technology in complete QKD system demonstrator with BT labs.
We will also explore exploitation in schemes for eye-safe quantum enhanced LIDAR in the Quantum Imaging Hub (Glasgow) and other areas where high coherence times in fully developed LED structures will have a major impact.

Dissemination will be achieved through patent publications, scientific papers (eg recent reports by the applicants on quantum light generation have been published in Nature, Nature Photonics, Nature Communications and Applied Physics Letters) and presentations at relevant international conferences (such as Photonics West, ECOC, OFC, CLEO, CLEOEurope, QCrypt, QCMC).
The know-how developed in the project will be added to the capabilities of the National Epitaxy Facility and will be available as a resource for the broader UK academic community through EPSRC, IUK or EU research grants. This significantly increases the leverage of the project through dissemination into a broader set of R&D projects and other applications areas such as telecommunication lasers and detectors.
TREL chair the Industry Standardisation Group (ISG) on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) of the European Telecommunication Standards Institute. We expect the outcomes of this project to contribute to the active work item of the ISG on Components used for QKD. This is defining how quantum components should be tested and specified for QT system integrators, which is an important dissemination activity for stimulating QT component supply chains.

We will disseminate to industry and potential customers via press releases and feature articles in the specialist press (such as Photonics Spectra), taking part in InnovateUK dissemination events and joint publicity with the EPSRC QT Hubs. An Exploitation Advisory Group will advise the project on exploitation of project results. The initial membership of the EAG includes representatives from the EPSRC QT Hubs and senior industrialists and researchers with experience of technology and business innovation.
Sheffield University is a partner in the EPSRC Photonics Manufacturing Hub with Southampton University and the results of this work will be developed further in this Hub where key aspects of Manufacturability will be addressed in collaboration with the industrial partners.