Researchers at the Optical Quantum Technologies Center at the University of Warsaw aim to develop solutions based on quantum information processing. With funding from the European Funds for a Modern Economy program, they are working on technologies to enable fast and highly secure communication, including interplanetary applications. Their solutions also hold the potential to optimize overloaded fiber-optic networks currently in use.
“Quantum signal processing is based on the latest discoveries and advancements in quantum physics. In our information processing and signal detection, we will use the smallest possible particles of information, such as single photons and qubits [quantum bits], which these photons carry,” explained Dr. Michał Parniak-Niedojadło, head of the research group at the Optical Quantum Technologies Center, in an interview with the Newseria agency.
The center received 30 million PLN for this project from the European Funds for a Modern Economy 2021–2027 (FENG) program, allocated through a competition by the Foundation for Polish Science.
“Our project has just started, yet our team of over 12 researchers is already intensively working on new experiments and publications that will soon demonstrate the immense implementation potential of the solutions we are developing,” Dr. Parniak-Niedojadło added.
The Center, created in collaboration with the University of Oxford, explores phenomena such as superposition and entanglement in optical and optically controlled systems, with long-term prospects for practical applications.
Advantages of Quantum Signal Processing
“Today’s devices, like computers, network equipment, and sensors, use classical signal processing, which has limitations and, in critical moments, unfortunately loses information. Traditional methods rely on classical bits, which can take values of 0 or 1. Modern technologies process signals in silicon-based computers or optical networks that transmit strong laser or LED pulses,” explained Dr. Parniak-Niedojadło.
“Quantum signal processing examines information and matter in new ways. By analyzing single light particles, such as photons, which carry information as qubits, we can access data from an entire sphere of values. Classical signal processing overlooks this, while quantum methods fully utilize this additional information,” he added.
Physicist Karol Łukanowski compared this to the evolution of photography:
“When humanity first started taking pictures, they were black-and-white, as film recorded only the light intensity. Points on the film with more light were brighter, while points with less light were darker. Over time, we learned to capture more information, such as the light wave’s length, which translates into color. In our project, we aim to take it a step further. By considering the quantum nature of light, we find additional degrees of freedom that can be controlled. We aim to use these to encode and read even more precise information.”
Real-World Applications and Space Sector
The results of this research are expected to lead to a new generation of sensors and safer communication methods. One of the key objectives is to develop solutions that can be applied to the space sector.
“These technologies will allow for higher-resolution images of space, enabling us to observe deeper into the universe. Sensors, whether for magnetic or gravitational fields, will gain additional precision through quantum technologies. Quantum computers, designed for highly specialized calculations, also hold great promise and are developing rapidly, especially in their optical implementations,” said Łukanowski.
He focuses on designing new communication and cryptographic protocols. Quantum-level signal processing and detection offer opportunities to solve communication challenges.
“What sets us apart is our ambition to study quantum effects under extreme conditions. Examples include communication with space missions, where signals must travel vast distances and pass through atmospheric layers, leading to significant signal attenuation. Another example is intercontinental fiber-optic links laid on the ocean floor, which are already overloaded with data transmission, negatively affecting bandwidth. Quantum effects can help mitigate these problems,” Łukanowski explained.
Overcoming Challenges and Future Prospects
One of the team’s primary challenges is filtering optical signals to separate them from noise. This would allow signals to be significantly amplified and better received by receivers.
According to Zion Market Research, the global quantum technology market generated revenues of over $875 million in 2022. By the end of this decade, its valuation is expected to reach $4.3 billion.
The University of Warsaw’s research holds the potential to revolutionize communication technologies, optimize network traffic, and enable advancements in fields such as space exploration and quantum computing.
