Towards the quantum internet.

Quantum networks will be the infrastructure for many disruptive applications, such as efficient long-distance quantum communication and distributed quantum computing. A quantum communication testbed is now operational between Universität des Saarlandes (D) and Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes Saarbrücken (D), with dimensions that can simulate real life applications. TOPTICA lasers control the quantum memories and synchronize the two network nodes.

Groups of Jürgen Eschner and Christoph Becher at the Saarland University (UdS) are using single trapped ions and single photons to develop and study the basic building blocks for future quantum networks.

Bridging 30 km with Entangled Photons
An essential aspect of these networks is the ability to distribute entanglement between distant network nodes using photonic channels, such as free-space transmission or fiber networks. In this joint experiment, quantum memories based on single trapped Ca+ ions and SnV centers in diamond are controlled and manipulated in two separate laboratories connected by a 15 km fiber optic link, provided by a local telecom company.

Distributed Entanglement by means of synchronized frequency combs.
Distributed entanglement will be achieved in several steps: The trapped Ca+ ions and SnV centers are excited to a short-lived upper state, emitting a single photon as they decay. This so-called lambda-type transition allows to entangle the spin state of the atom with the polarization or emission time of the single photon. The generated photons have wavelengths of 854 nm (Ca+), and 619 nm (SnV), respectively. To avoid high loss during the transmission via fiber, the photon frequencies are shifted to commonly used telecom bands at ~1550 nm using polarization-preserving quantum frequency conversion (QFC). The fiber link guides the two photons from each lab to a Bell-state measurement setup in which a successful photonic projection measurement heralds the entanglement of the two dissimilar quantum systems. In order to have the temporally overlapping, both experiments are synchronized to within a few nanoseconds. Notably, the QFC must render the frequencies of the two photons indistinguishable; hence the synchronization and stabilization of all involved lasers is essential. Furthermore, the read-out of the atomic states for verification of entanglement or its application in quantum communication requires a typical optical phase reference at the respective wavelengths provided by two synchronized frequency combs.

TOPTICA has provided most of the lasers for trapping, cooling and interrogating the atoms as well as an optical parametric oscillator (TOPO) for the QFC. Two DFC frequency combs synchronize the experiments, while two transfer lasers at telecom wavelengths and active fiber noise cancellation ensure low-noise photon transmission.

Their Laser Rack Systems are designed to not only support quantum communication, but also quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum sensing and many other exciting quantum-technologies.

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@TOPTICA_AG @htw @PresseBox #PAuto #Communications

Funding announced for revolutionary technology projects.

Funding has been announced for 12 projects with companies from the south Connemara (IRL) as partners in four of those projects.

Leagan Gaeilge

Tomás Ó Síocháin, Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta, has welcomed the announcement that three of the authority's client companies - Eirecomposites, HiTech Health Manufacturing and InverMed (all based not far from The Read-out Signpost location) are partners in projects which will receive a share of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund.

This morning the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney T.D., the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, T.D. and the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary T.D. announced an allocation of €58.8 million for proposals under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF). The aim of the fund is to support investment in the development and deployment of disruptive technologies and applications on a commercial basis.

Eirecomposites, based in Indreabhán, is a partner in the NSPCCA project, which is developing communication methods and satellites in space, jointly with the University of Ireland, Dublin, the company Mbryonics in Galway and other parties. Funding of almost €8 million has been announced for them today.

Eirecomposites, together with the University of Galway and Microfocus Galway Ltd, is also involved in the Digi-Stent project, which has received funding of €4 million, to create wireless digital stents.

HiTech Health Manufacturing has received €6.5m to develop CellConnect, a project that will capture data from every stage of the cell manufacturing process; the Gaeltacht company, located at An Tulach, is collaborating with the University of Galway and with Odyssey Validation Consultants Ltd.

Selio System, a pre-biopsy intervention device, has also received €4 million; Inver Med, based in Indreabhán, is jointly involved in this project with Trinity College, the University of Limerick and Selio Medical Ltd.

"This is great news for the companies involved in the projects that received funding today. It it notable that a company from the Conamara Gaeltacht is involved in a third of the groundbreaking projects which have been recognised as exceptional." said Tomás Ó Síocháin of the Údarás. "This is a great achievement for the companies themselves and also for this small Gaeltacht area. It shows that companies in Gaeltacht regions can be on a par with pioneering companies in Ireland and around the world, if they emphasize constant innovation, research and development."

"Our sincere congratulations to Eirecomposites, InverMed and HiTech Health Manufacturing. Údarás na Gaeltachta aims to ensure that the Gaeltacht is at the cutting edge of innovation; there are other companies emerging across the Gaeltacht regions, which will be just as creative and innovative as the ones we recognise today, and we at Údarás na Gaeltachta will be there to assist them."

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The area in Ireland where Irish is spoken as a vernacular is known as "The Gaeltacht" 

 @UdarasnaG #Ireland

Maoiniú fógraithe do thograí ardtheicneolaíochta.

Fógraíodh maoiniú do 12 togra agus tá comhlachtaí as deisceart Chonamara mar pháirtnéirí in gceithre cinn de na tograí 

sin.

Tá fáilte curtha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta roimh an bhfógra go bhfuil trí cinn de chliaint chomhlachtaí an Údaráis - Eirecomposites, Déantúsaíocht Sláinte HiTech agus InverMed - ag fáil sciar den chiste DTIF do theicneolaíochtaí bun-athraitheacha.

English  Version

D’fhógair an tAire Fiontair, Trádála agus Fostaíochta, Simon Coveney T.D., an tAire do Ard agus Breis Oideachas, Taighde, Nuálaíocht agus Eolaíochta, Simon Harris, T.D. agus an tAire Stáit do Chur chun Cinn Trádála, Digiteach agus Rialaithe Comhlachta, Dara Calleary T.D. , allúntas €58.8 milliún do thograí faoin gCiste do Theicneolaíocht Bhunathraitheach agus Nuálaíocht (DTIF) inné. Is ciste maoinithe é seo a thacaíonn le infheistíocht i dteicneolaíochtaí athraitheacha agus ina bhforbairt le gur féidir iad a úsáid ar bhonn tráchtála.

Tá Eirecomposites, atá lonnaithe in Indreabhán, mar pháirtnéir sa togra NSPCCA, atá ag forbairt modhanna cumarsáide agus satailítí sa spás, i gcomhpháirt le hOllscoil na hÉireann, Baile Átha Cliath, an comhlacht Mbryonics i nGaillimh agus páirtithe eile. Tá maoiniú de bheagnach €8 milliún fógartha dóibh inniu.

Tá Eirecomposites mar pháirtí freisin sa togra Digi-Stent, a bhfuil maoiniú de €4 mhilliún faighte aige, chun feistí leighis digiteacha a chruthú, i gcomhair le hOllscoil na Gaillimhe agus Microfocus Galway Ltd.

Tá €6.5m faighte ag an gcomhlacht Déantúsaíocht Sláinte HiTech, chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar CellConnect, togra a bhailíonn sonraí faoi chealla ón gcéad nóiméad a gcruthaítear iad; tá an comhlacht seo, atá lonnaithe ar Pháirc Ghnó na Tulaigh, mar pháirtnéir sa togra le hOllscoil na Gaillimhe agus le comhlacht i gCill Dara, Odyssey Validation Consultants Ltd.

Tá €4 milliún faighte freisin ag an togra leighis Selio System, a bhfuil Inver Med, atá lonnaithe in Indreabhán páirteach ann, i gcomhpháirt le Coláiste na Tríonóide, Ollscoil Luimnigh agus Selio Medical Ltd.

“Is iontach an scéal é seo do na comhlachtaí atá páirteach sna tograí a fuair maoiniú inniu agus is díol bróid don Údarás go bhfuil comhlacht as Gaeltacht Chonamara páirteach san tríú cuid de na tograí a fuair maoiniú," a dúirt Tomás Ó Síocháin, Príomhfheidhmeannach Údarás na Gaeltachta

“Is éacht í do na comhlachtaí féin agus éacht don cheantar beag Gaeltachta seo. Is cruthúnas é freisin gur féidir le comhlachtaí i gceantair Gaeltachta a bheith chomh maith le comhlachtaí in aon áit eile sa tír nó ar fud na cruinne, má bhíonn béim acu ar an nuálaíocht, ar an taighde agus ar an bhforbairt leanúnach.”

“Déanann muid comhghairdeachas ó chroí le Eirecomposites, le InverMed agus le Déantúsaíocht Sláinte HiTech. Is í an aidhm atá againn, go mbeadh an Ghaeltacht ceannródaíoch i gcúrsaí nuálaíochta agus cruthaitheachta. Tá mé cinnte go bhfuil comhlachtaí eile ag teacht chun cinn ar fud na Gaeltachta atá chomh cruthaitheach agus chomh nuálaíoch céanna leis na comhlachtaí atá ag fáil aitheantais inniu, agus beidh muidne in Údarás na Gaeltachta faoi réir le cabhrú leo. “

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@UdarasnaG @EireComposites @HealthHitech @DeptEnterprise @OllnaGaillimhe #disruptive #Health #Éire