netQUTE

The second activity that is one of the main objectives of the Slovak National Center for Quantum Technologies is to develop an entanglement-based quantum layer communication infrastructure to create the backbone of the national quantum network. 

The network will facilitate an enhanced security of communication, but also allow transfer of quantum information – thus being able to serve as experimental quantum infrastructure.

So far, both international and local QKD link have been deployed demonstrating the use of different technologies:

• First, a long-distance link (248 km), between Bratislava (IPSAS- Institute of Physics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences), Vienna and St. Pölten has been demonstrated using entanglement.
• The second link, short-distance one (~5 km) within Bratislava is connecting two academic facilities, IPSAS and the ILC (International Laser Centre) has been equipped with a commercial IDQ system for testing (OpenQKD project) and is currently being replaced by our entanglement-based prototype.