quantum networks

A quantum computer has been operated in space for the first time, according to a report by ScienceAlert. The milestone suggests quantum computing technology can function in the harsh conditions of orbit, opening the door to space-based quantum research and potentially quantum communication networks between satellites. Details about the hardware involved and the mission responsible have not yet been widely reported.

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara will take part in three of the National Science Foundation's Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes, large-scale collaborations aimed at advancing quantum science and technology. The university is expected to contribute expertise in quantum computing, sensing and materials. The news comes as NSF invests heavily in building national quantum research networks across US universities.

Florida State University has received federal funding to build a quantum communication testbed designed to operate in real-world conditions. The facility will allow researchers to test quantum networking technology outside controlled lab environments, an important step toward practical secure communication systems. The announcement highlights growing federal investment in quantum research as part of broader national technology priorities.

Florida State University has received $2.1 million in funding to build a quantum communication testbed. The award will support research into quantum networking technology, a field seen as key to future secure communications. The grant positions FSU among US institutions investing in quantum information science infrastructure.

Researchers have demonstrated a random access quantum memory system in which a single quantum processor can select among seven storage cells, rather than reading stored quantum information sequentially. The result matters for scaling quantum networks and modular quantum computers, where fast, selective retrieval of quantum states is a key engineering hurdle. Details on the research team and the specific physical platform used were not included in the available report.

Physicists at the City College of New York report a way to convert microwave signals into optical light using atomically thin 2D magnets. The advance is described as a potential bridge for quantum networks, since it could let quantum devices that operate with microwaves connect to fiber-optic light-based systems. Details are so far limited to coverage of the team's announcement.

EPB, Chattanooga's municipal utility, is hosting its first-ever 'Quantum in Business' conference, bringing together companies and experts to explore practical business applications of quantum technology. The event underscores EPB's push to position Chattanooga as a hub for quantum innovation, building on its high-speed fiber network and research partnerships. Coverage highlights growing commercial interest in turning quantum research into real-world enterprise use.

Researchers at the Quantum Internet Group in Innsbruck have networked three trapped-ion quantum computers, a step toward a scalable quantum internet. Linking multiple processors is seen as a way to overcome the size limits of single quantum machines, enabling distributed quantum computing and secure communication. The advance is drawing attention from the quantum technology community.

Researchers publishing in Nature report a deterministic and programmable fusion technique for generating photonic graph states at scale. Photonic graph states are entangled light states central to photonic quantum computing, networking and repeaters. Making fusion deterministic rather than probabilistic, while keeping it programmable, is presented as a step toward scalable quantum photonics. The finding matters because scaling entangled photon sources has been a key bottleneck for optical quantum technologies.

The Quantum Internet Alliance has raised €47.5 million in new funding to expand its quantum networking platform. The investment will support efforts to build quantum internet infrastructure, connecting quantum processors and enabling secure quantum communication. The announcement highlights continued momentum in Europe's quantum technology sector, where alliances and startups are attracting substantial public and private capital.

A quantum communication link has been shown operating over fiber optic cable already carrying 400G Ethernet and 5G traffic, demonstrating that quantum networking can coexist with conventional high-capacity telecommunications on deployed infrastructure rather than requiring dedicated lines. This points to a cheaper path for integrating quantum-secure communications into existing networks.