Delft-based Single Quantum, a developer of superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, and Qunnect, a Brooklyn-headquartered company, announced a collaboration.

Contentlockr

Together, they will work with CERN’s Quantum Technology Initiative to launch its new quantum networking laboratory at CERN.

CERN: European Organisation for Nuclear Research

Based out of Geneva, CERN (Conseil européen pour la Recherche nucléaire) is the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.

Since its inception in 1954, CERN has driven breakthroughs such as the World Wide Web (WWW) and the discovery of the Higgs boson.

Today, it operates the Large Hadron Collider and develops cutting-edge technologies in computing, detectors and particle accelerators.

Annick Teepe, quantum network researcher at CERN, says, “Working with Qunnect and Single Quantum to stand up CERN’s Quantum Networking Lab has been an exciting step forward. We’re eager to keep pushing the boundaries together.”

New quantum networking laboratory

As part of the initiative, CERN has integrated Single Quantum’s detectors with White Rabbit time-synchronisation technology, achieving sub-nanosecond alignment of distant network nodes.

Simultaneously, Qunnect’s rack-mountable quantum entanglement sources “Carina” are now used in CERN’s new quantum networking lab, which was set up under the Quantum Technology Initiative (QTI).

This summer, CERN researchers are using the detector and source hardware to test synchronised entanglement distribution and compare classical and quantum signals.

As Amanda Diez Fernandez, coordinating partnerships for the QTI, explains, “We’re creating an open, neutral platform to accelerate quantum research through cross-disciplinary collaborations, exploiting synergies across academia and industry of the Member States.” 

Simply put, Single Quantum, Qunnect, and CERN QTI are exploring advanced metrology techniques, time-synced entanglement tests, and the co-propagation of classical and quantum channels in installed fibre at the CERN campus.

Annick Teepe, quantum network researcher at CERN, highlights. “Working with Qunnect and Single Quantum to stand up CERN’s Quantum Networking Lab has been an exciting step forward. We’re eager to keep pushing the boundaries together.”

Single Quantum: Specialised in single photon detection

Founded in 2012 and led by Sander Dorenbos, Single Quantum specialises in developing, manufacturing and commercialising the technology of superconducting single photon detectors. 

Single Quantum provides the best performance in photon detection, enabling the most demanding optical applications.

“At Single Quantum, we’ve engineered our superconducting nanowire detectors for unmatched timing precision and reliability. Seeing them plug into CERN’s lab proves our team’s commitment to empowering the world’s leading research institutions with the tools they need to pioneer quantum breakthroughs,” says Jessie Qin-Dregely, COO of Single Quantum.

Qunnect: Deployable quantum networking infrastructure

Based out of Brooklyn, Qunnect builds deployable quantum networking infrastructure for provably secure, scalable connectivity over existing fibre optic cables.

The company commercialised the first room-temperature quantum memory in 2021.

The company’s Carina suite offers tools for creating and stabilising entanglement, enabling metro-scale quantum networks for use in finance, energy, and telecommunications.

“This partnership with CERN, Single Quantum, and Qunnect will advance quantum networking at the birthplace of White Rabbit Technology, which is well represented in Qunnect technology. In fact, Qunnect exists to usher quantum entanglement out of the lab and into standard telecom

infrastructure, providing partners and customers with field-deployable products that are built for real-world innovation,” adds Mael Flament, CTO of Qunnect.