About CQN

The Center for Quantum Networks was funded by NSF award 1941583 in September 2020. As a Generation-4 ERC, the Center focuses on four foundational components:

CQN 4 Pillars Logo

 

 

 

Research

Engineering Workforce Development

Diversity and Culture of Inclusion

Innovation Ecosystem

 

Mission

The mission of the Center for Quantum Networks is to build a quantum internet. More information about our technical goals, research pillars, and Boston and Tucson testbeds can be found throughout the CQN website.

Quantum Internet Graphic

 

Vision

The Center for Quantum Networks will play a pivotal role in developing the quantum Internet similar to that of ARPANET for today’s Internet. CQN’s research will lay the foundations for a socially responsible quantum Internet that will spur new technology industries and a competitive marketplace of quantum service providers and application developers.

 

Technical Goals

CQN is a full-stack quantum networking program that brings together experts with diverse backgrounds to develop theoretical research and critical components in the entire stack of device and subsystem technologies to realize the vision of a scalable quantum Internet. CQN’s research focus is on building a quantum communication infrastructure supported by fault-tolerant quantum repeaters and routers. CQN’s research and development spans: 

  • the physics of new materials for quantum memories and photon-matter qubit-conversion interfaces, 
  • integrated photonic devices for scalable entanglement sources and for quantum manipulation of light, 
  • quantum error correction for physical-layer quantum encoding and entanglement distillation,
  • network-layer protocols to serve a variety of user- and application-driven needs of quantum communications for distributed computing, sensing and communications, 
  • including a capability for serving many applications simultaneously.

 

Educational Goals

CQN aspires to become an idea-generation hub and epicenter driving the maturation of the new discipline of Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE). CQN’s closely intertwined research and educational missions will prepare the quantum-trained engineering workforce of the 21st century.

 

Funding

With the University of Arizona serving as the lead institute and host, the center will be funded with an initial five-year, $26 million grant, which may be renewed for an additional five years in 2025. The Center includes Harvard, MIT, and Yale as core university partners, with five other universities also contributing research: BYU, University of Chicago, Howard University, University of Oregon, and Northern Arizona University.