Applications Include Secure Communications and Cryptography

Israel’s Bar-Ilan University will inaugurate a quantum research centre to be known as QUEST (Quantum Entanglement in Science and Technology) on 11 June, at an event to be attended by scientists from Israel, Denmark, Germany, and the United States.

QUEST will focus on understanding the basic science underlying quantum entanglement – when electrons or photons become linked and share information – and using thsat theoretical knowledge to develop new, ground-breaking technologies. Specific applications already identified include cryptography, secure communications networks, quantum computing and advanced biomedical sensors.

Specific aspects of quantum theory have been known for over a century – such as the tunnelling effect that determines the efficiency of a transistor. The challenge is to make that knowledge more widely available and to exploit the potential for creating entanglements at distances of hundreds of kilometres. The Israeli Council for Higher Education is investing tens of millions of dollars in quantum technologies in its next five year plan and the European Community has launched a €1 billion quantum development programme to be dubbed FLAGSHIP.