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Equipment developed from a U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored research laboratory that can convey quantum data across networks will get its first exposure to the commercial market this month.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Key technology needed to convey quantum data across a network, while maintaining all its complexities and probabilities, will run on a commercially available quantum network later this month for the first time.
The technology, described as Automatic Polarization Compensation (APC), will run get its first test on the EPB Quantum Network.
The EPB Quantum Network, powered by Qubitekk, is known as the nation’s first commercially available quantum network, a release from EPB stated.
EPB, which delivers telecommunications services to the Chatanooga area, also announced that the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will participate “in the effort to validate the technology’s commercial viability.”
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was the first American school to host a permanent connection to a commercially available quantum network, EPB’s Sept. 11 release stated.
EPB’s release further described the importance of APC technology.
“APCs are a critical component in developing the ability to transmit information over real-world quantum networks consistently,” the company’s announcement stated. “They help mitigate data interference caused by common factors that impact the fiber optic cables that can serve as the ‘highway’ for data maintained in a quantum state, like wind, a range of outdoor temperatures, and other environmental disruptions.”
The APC developed by Dr. Joseph Chapman, a quantum communications research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, includes a “multi-axis control mechanism” that can measure polarization changes on quantum fiber networks, EPB’s release explained.
“The ultra-sensitive detection achieves fast and complete control of light polarization with low noise to ensure continuous operation without downtime.”
Steven Angle, the chancellor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, praised the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s “leading minds.”
“We will have access to resources for research and learning that are not available anywhere else,” Angle said.
Meanwhile, EPB CEO David Wade said the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s efforts to validate the APC technology are “exactly what we envisioned when developing EPB Quantum Network.”
The EPB network has capacity for ten quantum interconnected user nodes across Chattanooga, the company’s announcement stated. The network uses equipment designed and manufactured by Qubitekk, which includes an APC developed by Qubitekk.
“APCs are essential components for interconnecting quantum technologies that have the potential to optimize the management of our electrical grids, accelerate the development of new medicines and materials, and strengthen national security with unbreakable encryption,” said Duncan Earl, co-founder and CTO at Qubitekk. “Collaborative runs like this on real-world networks are critical to developing the array of commercially viable quantum technologies necessary for the U.S. to compete in this rapidly emerging global industry.”
The EPB Quantum Network in downtown Chattanoga will host Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s APC, while other equipment will run from a node on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga main campus, roughly a half mile away, EPB’s announcement stated.
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