Transitioning Quantum Communication Devices into Telecommunication Infrastructures

“量子”的概念曾经被孤立在学术界的实验室里，或许也只出现在布里安·格林写的通俗科普书籍中。几十年的研究进展现在已经将量子力学现象扩展到实验室操场之外，并与我们的现代社会融为一体。量子力学定律的含义和魅力现在已经加入了国防、网络安全、金融投资、流行文化和社会信息生命线--互联网等领域的讨论。在过去的30年里，互联网的影响不可低估。我们从中受益的许多影响和应用都是从未预见到的。同样，与传统互联网并行运行的量子网络将引发新一波应用和增强。量子互联网是一个能够在远距离和多个地点利用量子现象的网络。可能的应用包括广泛且完全安全的数据加密、全球时钟同步和多功能成像系统。更重要的是，类似于经典互联网的前景，量子互联网将成为许多尚未预测的技术进步和创新的催化剂。量子互联网是一个崇高的目标，需要付出巨大的努力。为了在后勤和经济上可行，这样一个复杂的系统将需要一个由许多专门组件组成的智能设计。所有这些都必须相互对接和集成，尤其是电信基础设施。我的研究计划解决了使这一转变成为可能的科学和技术问题。我们专注于开发强大且可广泛部署的量子通信技术，这些技术可以构成未来的量子互联网。全球各国已经意识到量子互联网的重要性和影响，并致力于发展量子互联网，即使在与全球大流行进行权衡时也是如此。这包括美国国家量子倡议法案(2018年12月21日签署)、尼德兰国家量子技术议程和在中国发射的量子科学实验卫星。加拿大处于有利地位，可以成为全球量子生态系统中的关键参与者和领导者，因为我们拥有多个量子强国机构(加州大学滑铁卢分校、加州大学卡尔加里分校、渥太华分校、NRC)。随着量子通信技术现在正从研究领域过渡到工程学科，对学术和工业量子项目的持续支持将是至关重要的。这种转变将引发对高素质个人的大量需求，这些人经过独特的培训，能够使用量子密码工具和设备。此外，新的培训计划和学位将需要发展，以满足即将到来的人才需求，并确保加拿大新兴量子技术行业的繁荣。

The notion of something being `quantum' was once isolated to the labs of academia and maybe popular science books authored by Briane Greene. Decades of research progress have now extended quantum mechanical phenomena beyond the laboratory playground and to a position of inclusion with our modern society. The implications and fascination with quantum mechanical laws have now joined the conversation in sectors including national defence, cyber security, financial investing, popular culture and society's information lifeline, the internet. Over the last 30 years, the impact of the internet cannot be understated. Many of the implications and applications we benefit from could have never been foreseen. Similarly, a quantum network that runs in parallel to the classical internet would instigate a new wave of applications and enhancements. The quantum internet is a network capable of exploiting quantum phenomena over large distances and multiple locations. Possible applications include widespread and fully secure data encryption, global clock synchronization, and versatile imaging systems. More importantly, analogous to the outlook of the classical internet, the quantum internet will be a catalyst for many technological advances and innovations that have yet to be predicted. A quantum internet is a lofty goal demanding intense efforts. To be logistically and economically feasibility, such a complex system will need a smart design comprised of many specialized components. All of which must interface and integrate with each other and critically, telecommunication infrastructures. My research program addresses the scientific and technological issues that will make this transition possible. We focus on developing the robust and widely deployable quantum communication technologies that can comprise the future quantum internet. Nations across the globe have realized the importance and implications of a quantum internet and are committed to its development, even when weighed against a global pandemic. This includes the USA National Quantum Initiative Act (signed December 21, 2018), the Nederlands National Agenda for Quantum Technology and the Quantum Science Experiment Satellite launched in China. Canada is well-positioned to be a key player and leader in the global quantum ecosystem as we are home to multiple quantum powerhouse institutions (UWaterloo, UCalgary, UOttawa, NRC). The continual support of academic and industrial quantum programs will be vital as quantum communications technologies are now transitioning from a research field into an engineering discipline. This shift will trigger a large demand for highly qualified personal that are uniquely trained to work with quantum cryptographic tools and equipment. Furthermore, new training programs and degrees will need development to meet this oncoming personnel demand and to ensure the prosperity of Canada's emerging quantum technology sector.