The research at Trieste Quantum is significantly advanced by its access to leading-edge laboratories and infrastructures, which are pivotal in fostering pioneering research, advancing new technologies, and training emerging researchers. These state-of-the-art facilities serve as epicenters for scientific exploration and innovation, enabling the organization to explore the vast potential of quantum science.
Integrating theoretical, experimental and applied quantum science, Trieste Quantum creates a dynamic environment where academic and practical pursuits converge, leading to new developments. Its robust infrastructure and educational initiatives are key to its mission of driving scientific breakthroughs and nurturing talent in quantum research.
LightNet
LightNet is a regional optical network infrastructure interconnecting the major academic and research institutions in the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The network consists of about 575 km of optical fibers that connect more than 40 locations in the Region. At each site, a set of switching and optical multiplexing equipment (the DWDM and MPLS-TP technology) has been installed; thanks to the direct management of the infrastructure, dozens of reciprocal communication channels between the participating institutions and towards the national GARR network, have been configured and are constantly adapted to user needs. LightNet locally branches out the connectivity to GARR services but is also connected to the Slovenian national academic and research network (ARNES), through two cross-border fiber connections, thus acting as an important link and transit point towards this part of Europe. LightNet is also supporting the activities for establishing a dedicated regional network on optical fibers for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and will host and manage the associated infrastructure.
President: Antonio Lanza
Technical Director: Giorgio Giorgetti
Link: https://www.units.it/notizie/lightnet/?file=contatti.inc
Artificial Quantum Systems laboratory (ArQuS lab)
The ArQuS lab is located at the CNR premises in the Area Science Park (Basovizza campus). Our activity focuses on cooling, trapping and controlling two-electron atoms with high-precision optical manipulation and spectroscopic techniques, achieving resolution down to the single atom to explore strongly interacting quantum systems with a bottom-up approach. We pursue different research directions in quantum science and technologies, from fundamental few- and many-body physics to quantum optics and quantum simulations. The ArQuS laboratory has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement n. 949438), from the European Union – NextGenerationEU under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR, PE4 NQSTI) and from the Ministry of University and Research under the FARE (FastOrbit project) and PRIN 2022 (CoQuS project) programmes.
Principal Investigator: Francesco Scazza
Link: https://sites.units.it/arquslab/
Quantum Communication and Information laboratory (QCI lab)
In this lab, located in the CNR-INO premises at the Area Science Park of Basovizza, scientific and technological advancements are experimentally pursued to provide solutions for quantum communications in optical fibers and free space. Ensuring secure data transmission, we implement Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Secure Direct Communication (QSDC) protocols. To establish a quantum network within the lab and metropolitan networks, we employ the Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) communication system. Investigation of photonic solutions for quantum information problems is another direction of research. The QCI lab is financed through the “Quantum FVG” and “QuFree” projects by the Friuli Venezia Giulia autonomous region. The former is dedicated to the construction of a regional fiber-optic quantum network for secure data transmission, while the latter is a research program delving into quantum communication in free space, paving the way to secure satellite connections.
Principal Investigator: Alessandro Zavatta
Link: https://quantumcommunications.ino.cnr.it/?page_id=93