/ Modified aug 26, 2020 3:35 p.m.

UA to lead Center for Quantum Networks

Harvard, Yale and MIT are also part of the five-year, NSF-funded research into quantum computing.

University of Arizona Optical Science Building The Optical Science Building on the campus of the University of Arizona.
AC Swedbergh / AZPM

The next generation of the internet, one powered by quantum computing, could come out of research led by the University of Arizona.

The university on Wednesday announced it received a $26 million, five-year grant from the National Science Foundation to create the Center for Quantum Networks. The UA will lead a coalition that includes Harvard, Yale and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

UA optical sciences assistant professor Saikat Guha will head the effort. He says quantum computing, which exploits the properties of subatomic photons, offers the potential for much faster, more complex problem-solving.

Guha said potential benefits of a quantum network include "probably secure communications and data privacy no matter the computational power of the adversary, highly precise positional navigation and timing, ultrasensitive longest line telescopes and remote sensing satellites empowered by quantum entanglement and the democratizing access to cloud-based quantum computers."

The project involves networking multiple computers around the Boston metro area using fiber optic cables. Ultimately, the technology could lead to a worldwide quantum network to augment or even replace the existing internet.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona