PhD in Entanglement Routing in Quantum Optical Fiber Networks

About this position

Are you passionate about building an entanglement-based routing in quantum optical networks?

Join us to develop an innovative entanglement-based routing architecture and protocol, and set up an experimental testbed to route entangled photons in the presence of classical telecom traffic in multi-node quantum optical fiber networks.

Information

Efficient distribution and routing of entanglement are indispensable for quantum‑secure communication (e.g., advanced QKD networks), distributed quantum computing, quantum‑secure enterprise connectivity and quantum teleportation services across metropolitan or regional distances. However, unique features of quantum information, such as non-amplification, no-cloning, or measurement without altering the quantum states, make it difficult to re-use the architecture and protocols of classical telecom networks for quantum communication and networking. In contrast to classical optical signals, quantum states are extremely fragile and degrade rapidly due to loss, noise, and decoherence, especially over long distances.

As a result, conventional telecom solutions such as optical amplification, regeneration, and routing cannot be directly applied to quantum networks. Nevertheless, recent advances in quantum state generation and measurement have opened new opportunities for developing quantum network architectures and protocols for routing and teleportation, a critical enabler for quantum networks.

In this PhD project, you will set up an experimental testbed for a multi-node quantum optical fiber network that enables entanglement generation and detection, frequency conversion, and entanglement routing of quantum-classical packets between nodes connected by optical switches. Additionally, you will investigate the coexistence of classical telecom traffic and quantum signals and the effects of impairments such as noise and crosstalk. The project will combine theoretical and simulation studies and validate them with experimental studies.

The project will leverage KPN’s expertise to address real‑world constraints—including scalability, interoperability, reliability, and manageability—while developing the telecom‑grade quantum networks.

The PhD position is fully funded by our industry partner (KPN) in Smart Optical Networks Lab (SONL) of the Electro-Optical Communication group. The research activity of SONL covers a wide range of topics, including network design and software control, reconfigurable interconnects for telecom, datacenters, AI clusters, and quantum networks, down to heterogeneous photonic integrated circuits and systems for enabling low-latency, fast network reconfiguration in real systems. Additionally, we focus on innovative solutions for switching and routing in secure quantum-optical networks.

The ECO group covers a wide range of topics from the Photonic layer to the Application layer of the communication system, and we also play a key role in the Casimir Institute at TU/e, and within the PhotonDelta and QuantumDelta growth fund program. Besides research you will also contribute to education within our group and the Department of Electrical Engineering and mentor BSc and MSc students during their research projects.