New quantum internet node in aachen – cooperation of Fraunhofer ILT with Dutch QuTech

Aachen, Germany — Quantum technology (QT), as one of the key technologies of the 21st century, offers enormous potential for the fields of health, mobility, energy and security, among other areas.

The “N-Quik” project, funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWIKE), is a new milestone in quantum technology research. Together with the Dutch QuTech – a collaboration of the TU Delft and the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research TNO – the Fraunhofer ILT will establish cross-border QT networks in the future. On February 13, 2023, NRW Minister of Economic Affairs Mona Neubaur handed over the funding notification for “N-QUIK” worth 3.5 million euros to Prof. Constantin Häfner, Director of the Fraunhofer ILT in Aachen.

The international project partners aim to have the quantum Internet node up and running by 2024. Prof. Constantin Häfner, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT: “This development and test platform for network components in NRW lays the foundation for taking a position in the development, implementation and exploitation of quantum technology. The forward-looking project “N-Quik” forms the starting signal for a quantum network in Europe.”

In order to make the best possible use of the potential of quantum computers in an early development phase and to enable companies and start-ups to test new products, the first nationwide node for the quantum internet is being built at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in Aachen. Economics and Climate Protection Minister Mona Neubaur on February 13, 2023, handed over a funding decision from the state of around 3.5 million euros for the “N-Quik” project.