QUROPE Quantum Information Processing and Communication in Europe

The results obtained within the field of Quantum Information Foundations and Technologies are constantly changing our way to look at physical processes, continuously pushing forward the boundaries of our knowledge; while this, per se, is of paramount importance, there will be significant technological achievements that one can realistically expect to positively impact the Information and Communication society in the short- to mid-term:

• Quantum communication technologies embedded in the current telecom fiber infrastructure will allow transforming present-day point-to-point (classical) communication networks into absolutely secure quantum ones, without the need of changing the existing architecture;
• Entanglement assisted sensors and metrology will have a strong impact on various fields, e.g.  by enabling sub-micron imaging, sub-shot noise measurements and single-spin sensing, or the development of ultra-precise clocks;
• Quantum simulators will help us in the understanding and designing of novel artificial quantum materials with tailored properties and enable a better comprehension of the dynamic of complex systems and phenomena;
• Quantum computers will open up a viable route to provide the next generation of scalable processors beyond micro and nano electronics, thus avoiding the known roadblocks on the route towards higher and more energy efficient computing power;
• Hybrid systems implementing quantum interconnects between quantum processors and quantum links will provide the technology that finally lead to the quantum repeater. Hence they will extend the distance of local quantum links to a truly global scale paving the way towards the advent of the quantum internet.

In the long run there are strong reasons to believe that these efforts will result in a new wealth of quantum technologies capable of unprecedented tasks being thought, developed and finally commercialized for the benefit and welfare of the whole European society. Entanglement assisted sensors and metrology are expected to positively affect various fields ranging from biomedical imaging for early detection and diagnostic, to the exploration of environmental hazards, to the search for mineral resources. The accurate description of chemical compounds and reactions made possible by quantum simulators could hopefully lead to the design, testing and commercialization of fundamentally new drugs, and allow the design of new energy efficient materials, accelerating the transition towards renewable energy sources.  And finally, quantum computers are expected to boost our understanding of the dynamics of complex problems such as, climate models and protein folding, eventually leading to fundamental advances in this and correlated fields.

Thus, the potential long-term impact of Quantum Information Foundations and Technologies on the strategic priorities of the European Commission (coping with ageing society, ensuring sustainable energy supply and maintaining a clean environment) can be hardly overestimated.