Canadian startup Quantum Bridge, which focuses on the development of quantum-safe communications technology, says it has received CAN$890,000 ($700,000) from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to further its work. The funding is part of a collaborative research agreement with the NRC’s Quantum Sensors Challenge program that aims to develop the first all-photonic quantum repeater used to channel entanglement over very long distances.
The quantum repeaters will leverage quantum dots as a single photon source to carry entanglement between repeaters and across quantum-safe communication networks. When hit with a sequence of laser pulses, this semiconducting technology emits entangled photons to create a bundle called “quantum cluster states.” The use of such quantum cluster states obviates the need for quantum memories. The approach improves the performance, speed, and scalability of quantum communications networks, Quantum Bridge asserts.
“The NRC is a partner of choice for us. This collaboration is about far more than financing and access to facilities,” said Mattia Montagna, CEO and co-founder of Quantum Bridge. “The NRC also brings extensive knowledge about quantum dot technology, which is the core technology upon which our quantum repeaters are being built. Today’s news signals a collaboration with the NRC to leverage our combined know-how in quantum optics and quantum communication, with their experience related to quantum dots. Our goal being to build a deterministic cluster state generator that can have multiple uses in the quantum industry.”
Montagna and Professor Hoi-Kwong Lo founded Quantum Bridge in 2019 to leverage research expertise Lo developed with his team at the University of Toronto.
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