C: Quantum Networks to Connect Quantum Technology (QuanNeCQT)

NSF融合加速器计划支持以使用为灵感、以团队为基础的多学科努力，以应对具有国家重要性的挑战，并将在不久的将来产生对社会有价值的成果。QuaNeCQT项目(Quantum Networks To Connect Quantum Technology)旨在创造能够连接物理上相距数公里的量子计算机的量子互连。这些互联使用户能够利用现有的庞大基础设施，即我们目前的互联网来开发下一代量子互联网。我们的方案由两个硬件模块组成，量子频率转换(QFC)模块和量子可重构分插复用器(QROADM)模块。QFC将来自量子计算机的光子转换为预留的电信波长通道，同时保留与量子计算机内部量子存储器的纠缠。QROADM使用集成的光子电路控制网络流量，并执行纠缠交换。这两个模块都将量子功能与所有需要的经典通信(光纤偏振稳定、激光频率锁定、时钟分配等…)完全集成在一起。QFC和QROADM模块提供了一种通用的网络解决方案，可以很容易地适应几乎任何量子计算机体系结构。第二阶段计划将重点放在离子陷阱量子计算机的具体使用案例上，这是目前可用的一些最具可扩展性的量子计算机。该项目的更广泛影响将包括通过向最终用户提供安全访问以及对量子计算合法性的认证，导致量子计算机用户基础的显著增加。随着量子技术与互联网的融合，一个新的技术部门将出现，它将产生快速的技术创新，为未来的“量子劳动力”创造大量新的就业机会，从而带来重大经济增长的潜力，就像20世纪末互联网的出现所做的那样。该计划还将涉及为普通公众和行业开发教育模块的扩展努力，这些模块将教育他们关于量子技术的当前状态和未来潜力。“该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The NSF Convergence Accelerator program supports use-inspired, team-based, multidisciplinary efforts that address challenges of national importance and will produce deliverables of value to society in the near future. The QuaNeCQT project (Quantum Networks to Connect Quantum Technology) aims to create quantum interconnects that can connect quantumcomputers that are physically located several kilometers apart. These interconnects enable users to leverage the vast existing infrastructure that is our current Internet to develop the next generation quantum internet. Our solution is composed of two hardware modules, the quantum frequency conversion (qFC) module and the quantum reconfigurable add-drop multiplexer (qROADM) module. The qFC converts photons from a quantum computer to provisioned telecom wavelength channels while preserving the entanglement with the internal quantum memory of the quantum computer. The qROADM controls the flow of network traffic using an integrated photonic circuit and performs entanglement swapping. Both modules fully integrate quantum functionalities with all required classical communication (fiber polarization stabilization, laser frequency locking, clock distribution etc…). The qFC and qROADM modules provide a universal networking solution that can be readily adapted to virtually any quantum computer architecture. The Phase II program will focus on the specific use-case of ion trap quantum computers, which are some of the most scalable quantum computers currently available.The broader impacts of this project will include causing a significant increase in the user base for quantum computers by providing secure access to end users as well as certification of the legitimacy of the quantum computation. As quantum technology converges with the Internet, a new technology sector would emerge bringing with it the potential for major economic growth by producing rapid technological innovation and creating a large number of new jobs for the future “quantum workforce,” just as the emergence of the Internet did towards the late 20th century. The program will also entail an outreach effort to develop educational modules for the general public and industry that will educate them on the current state and future potential of quantum technology."This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.