Grant: Alliance Grants

Quantum technologies have the potential to transform multiple industries in Canada, from enabling secure communication to providing ultrasensitive measurements to enhancing defence capabilities. Quantum photonic technologies use light particles, or photons, to carry quantum information. Photons are particularly useful for long-distance communication, and are already widely used in today's fiber-optic telecommunication networks. New development is underway for building future quantum photonic networks, where optical fibers are used for the transmission of quantum information carried by individual photons. Most existing experimental quantum photonic networks serve the sole purpose of secure communication via quantum key distribution (QKD), which are costly and not sufficiently versatile for other applications. We propose to develop a multi-purpose, fiber-based quantum photonic network, the first of its kind in Canada. Our objective is to enhance and expand our existing QKD network technology to serve the purposes of secure quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum secure time transfer in one physical network. By expanding the capabilities of quantum photonic networks, we make quantum technologies more practical and more affordable. In close collaboration with startup and established partner organizations, including Quantum Bridge Technologies Inc., Defence R&D Canada, and General Dynamics Mission Systems Canada, we aim to develop industry-relevant technologies that integrate quantum secure communication networks with existing communication infrastructure for enhanced cybersecurity, and provide additional services such as perimeter security monitoring and secure remote clock synchronization. The project will, for the first time in Canada, showcase a hybrid quantum communication and sensing network, shaping Canada's future multi-purpose quantum network infrastructure.