Our long-term vision is to develop distributed quantum computing & communication based on microwave quantum local area networks (QLANs). Microwaves are the natural frequency regime of several quantum computing platforms (superconducting circuits, NV centers, quantum dots). Therefore, microwaves are the natural frequency range for quantum communication between such platforms. In particular, no frequency conversion is required which usually is inefficient and related to significant losses. Moreover, microwaves can be distributed via superconducting cables with surprisingly small losses, eventually allowing for quantum communication and cryptography applications.

An important near-term goal is the demonstration of a QLAN via quantum teleportation and to develop a roadmap to real-life applications for the second/third phase of the European Quantum Technology Flagship. An important enabling technology for achieving the goal is the development of a microwave QLAN cable connecting the millikevin stages of two dilution refrigerators. This technology is developed by WMI together with its industrial partner Oxford Instruments within the European Quantum Technology Flagship project QMiCS.  The resulting “enabling” commercial products are beneficial for quantum technologies at microwave frequencies in general.