Quantum Communication

Critical Infrastructures

Energy supply, transportation, telecommunications, and public infrastructures require secure communication channels to protect essential processes and sensitive data.

Industry and Manufacturing

Connected production systems, industrial control systems, and digital business processes require reliable and secure communication.

Data Centers and Cloud Infrastructures

The protection of sensitive data and communication links is becoming increasingly important due to growing data volumes and new attack scenarios.

Research and Development

Sensitive research data, technological developments, and intellectual property require long-term protection through secure communication infrastructures.

Government and Security-Critical Applications

Organizations with high requirements for data protection and information security benefit from future quantum-secure communication solutions.

Increasing digitalization, AI-driven attack methods, and future quantum computers are creating new challenges for existing security architectures.

The most important risks include:

Harvest Now, Decrypt Later

Data intercepted and stored today could be decrypted in the future using powerful quantum computers. This particularly affects information requiring long-term protection, such as research data, industrial know-how, and critical infrastructure information.

Attacks on Key Exchange

Weaknesses in key exchange processes, compromised certificates, or manipulated supply chains can enable man-in-the-middle attacks and compromise the security of communication connections.

Threats to Conventional Encryption Methods

Cryptographic methods such as RSA and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) could be weakened by future quantum computers.

Potential consequences include:

• Forged certificates
• Manipulated digital signatures
•  Identity theft
• Compromised communication channels

Weak Key Management

Insufficient generation, storage, and rotation of cryptographic keys, as well as a lack of automation, can create additional security risks.

Lack of Cryptographic Agility

Legacy communication protocols and rigid systems, including older TLS, IPsec, or IoT stacks, can make it difficult to rapidly transition to new security methods.

What is quantum communication?

Quantum communication uses the principles of quantum physics to transmit information securely and enable new security mechanisms for future communication networks.

Why is quantum communication needed?

New cyber threats, AI-driven attack methods, and future quantum computers challenge conventional encryption methods. Quantum communication provides new approaches for long-term secure communication systems.

What is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)?

QKD is a method for securely distributing cryptographic keys using quantum physical principles.

What is Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG)?

QRNG generates true random numbers based on quantum physical processes and enables highly secure cryptographic applications.

What does “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” mean?

It describes the practice of collecting encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it in the future when more powerful technologies become available.

Who is researching quantum communication in Europe and Germany?

Quantum communication is being researched across Europe, with a strong focus on QKD, quantum networks, photonic technologies, and QRNG.

In Germany, key research organizations and initiatives include:

1. Fraunhofer IPMS – QKD, QRNG, photonic integration and secure hardware
2. Fraunhofer HHI – QKD systems, photonic components and quantum networks
3. Fraunhofer IOF – QKD, single-photon technologies and optical quantum communication
4. TU Dresden – quantum communication, computing and sensing
5. QuNET / SQuaD – research and networking for secure quantum communication infrastructures

At the European level, the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) brings together national initiatives to develop a secure quantum communication infrastructure across Europe.

Semiconductor-based Spin Qubits 

Semiconductor-based spin qubits are considered a promising technology for future scalable quantum processors. By leveraging established semiconductor manufacturing technologies, they offer the potential for integrating quantum hardware with advanced fabrication processes.

Fraunhofer IPMS is developing key building blocks for future quantum chips – from the fabrication of silicon spin qubit structures to cryogenic electronics for the control and readout of quantum systems at extremely low temperatures.

With its expertise in semiconductor processes, 300 mm manufacturing capabilities, and quantum engineering, Fraunhofer IPMS is creating important foundations for powerful and industrially scalable quantum processors.

Superconducting Qubits

Superconducting qubits are one of the leading approaches for developing powerful quantum computers. Scaling this technology requires stable and reproducible fabrication processes as well as close integration of quantum research with industrial semiconductor technologies.

Together with its partners, Fraunhofer IPMS is developing key technologies for the next generation of superconducting quantum chips – ranging from the fabrication and integration of superconducting components to scalable processes and pilot lines.

With its expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and 300 mm fabrication infrastructure, Fraunhofer IPMS supports the transition from fundamental research towards industrially applicable quantum processors.

The following press releases highlight important milestones on the way to stable, scalable, and Europe-based quantum hardware platforms.

Photonic Qubits

Photonic qubits offer a promising approach for developing scalable quantum computers. By using photons as information carriers, they enable new architectures for quantum processors and open up perspectives for integrated, energy-efficient quantum hardware.

Fraunhofer IPMS is researching photonic quantum chips based on established semiconductor and photonics technologies. Key areas include the integration of optical functions on chips as well as the development of electronic and control concepts for future photonic quantum computers.

With its expertise in integrated photonics, microelectronics, and system integration, Fraunhofer IPMS contributes to the development of industrially scalable photonic quantum computers made in Germany.

Neutral Atom Qubits

Neutral atom qubits offer a promising approach for future scalable quantum computers. A key challenge is the precise control of individual atoms and the parallel manipulation of large-scale qubit arrays.

Fraunhofer IPMS is developing innovative MEMS-based Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs) that enable highly precise and programmable light patterns for the manipulation of neutral atoms. This micro-mirror technology opens up new possibilities for optical tweezers and the scalable control of atomic quantum systems.

With its expertise in MEMS technologies, microsystems engineering, and optical system integration, Fraunhofer IPMS is providing important technological foundations for the next generation of neutral atom quantum computers.

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