This topic emerged through a screening of emerging issues in science, technology and society in the context of the FET CSA OBSERVE.

http://www.horizon-observatory.eu/radar-en/index.php

The big picture

A number of topics that emerged in the OBSERVE screening deal with quantum research. Aspects cover basic research needs, novel applications but also possible consequences for society.

Physicists set a new fiber-optic quantum teleportation record

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have bested the previous quantum teleportation fiber-optic distance record four times over, achieving a span of 100 kilometres. While physicists have teleported over farther distances in free space—via open-air laser beams, that is—the ability to transmit information across vast spans using fiber-optic cabling offers a new degree of practicality to quantum-based networking e.g. for distributing keys in future quantum encryption schemes. The accomplishment is described in the current issue of Optica. Source: Motherboard;

Research front: Synthesis and application of graphene quantum dots

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) represent single-layer to tens of layers of graphene of a size less than 30 nm. Due to exceptional properties such as low toxicity, stable photoluminescence, chemical stability and pronounced quantum confinement effect, GQDs are considered as a novel material for biological, opto-electronics, energy and environmental applications (Wikipedia). GQD synthesis and application has received strong attention in materials science and chemistry. Source: Research Fronts 2014;

Quantum computing challenges cryptography

The US National Security Agency announced it would be abandoning the cryptography algorithms it has used since 2005 for fear of the coming quantum computing revolution. "Our ultimate goal is to provide cost effective security against a potential quantum computer," the agency wrote on its website. Source: Motherboard;

Quantum technology will move from basic research to applications

Quantum technology today is in an early stage of its development and research is often characterized by theoretical reflections. However, the promises concerning future applications are manifold and are not limited to the quantum computer. Instead, the expected applications range from secure communications, highly sensitive sensors to other breakthroughs in the context of data processing. For some researchers it is clear that the 21. Century will be the century of quantum technology. Source: FET Projects;

Quantum Computing: Combining advances in quantum technology and photonics to realize a quantum computer

Instead of binary digits that are used in conventional digital computers, quantum com-puters use quantum bits (qubits), which can be in superpositions of states. Quantum computers are still in an early stage of development but if realized, they may be able to efficiently solve problems that no classical computer would be able to solve within a reasonable amount of time. One approach to advance the development is to combine quantum technology and photonics. Source: FET Projects;

Quantum squeezing

As described in a paper in Science, researchers at the California Institute of Technology have come up with a way of observing and even controlling quantum motion by cooling a small (but not quantum-small) device to a temperature of almost absolute zero (or as absolute zero as it gets), the point at which the only remaining forces come from quantum fluctuations. Source: Motherboard;