Tech Project

Description of the challenges faced by the Tech Project

What is a quantum network, and how can it be used for exchanging information between different parties? Quantum communications offer an unprecedented level of privacy, namely perfectly secure quantum key distribution between two parties. Furthermore, quantum communications, both long and short range, will be crucial to connect quantum computers and quantum processors, and establish a quantum internet. However, currently, quantum communications typically take place through a direct bipartite link only, and the several attempts to build quantum key distribution networks are essentially a set of direct bipartite links, and not yet a true network structure. Project QuNet aims at launching, for the first time, a comprehensive study on quantum telecommunication networks, covering its different crucial aspects. The scientific goals of project QuNet are: 1. To identify robust network structures for quantum telecommunications. 2. To define routing protocols for those structures. 3. To design and implement experiments with integrated photonics to test such structures.

Brief description of technology

The work developed in Lisbon is entirely theoretical. Namely, it will cover the definition and design of quantum networks. The experimental implementations will be done at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, partner in this Portuguese project. The artist will have access to all the ideas, information and research results of the project.

What the project is looking to gain from the collaboration and what kind of artist would be suitable

Complex quantum networks are a new concept in quantum technologies, that is being developed at Instituto de Telecomunicações, in Lisbon. It offers radical new scientific ideas that could be explored also at the artistic level, namely at the conceptual, multimedia, or plastic levels. Networks are prevalent in our daily life, be it social networks, or technological networks (e.g. the internet!), and their quantum versions represent a very novel and original generalization, offering a very rich starting point for science-art collaborations.

Resources available to the artist

Office space and office supplies, internet connection, access to the research team and the research being developed.