As of today, the Universities of Trieste and Udine are connected by a quantum link running over optical fiber.
The official presentation of the quantum connection took place today at UniTS in the presence of Rector Roberto Di Lenarda; Alessia Rosolen, Regional Councillor for Labor, Training, Education, Research, Universities, and Family; Sebastiano Callari, Regional Councillor for Heritage, State Property, General Services, and IT Systems; Pier Luca Montessoro, Rector’s Delegate for IT Networks and Websites at the University of Udine; Angelo Bassi, project representative for UniTS; and Gian Luca Foresti, project representative for UniUD.
This quantum link between the two universities enables ultra-secure communication through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), a protocol that leverages the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics to generate encryption keys. Unlike classical key exchange methods, QKD ensures that any attempt to intercept the transmission irreversibly alters the quantum states being exchanged, making eavesdropping immediately detectable and guaranteeing an unprecedented level of security.
The realization of this connection required both the acquisition of quantum communication devices and access to the optical fiber linking the two universities. The purchase of the necessary equipment was made possible through the Quantum FVG project, supported by the Regional Councillorship for Labor, Training, Education, Research, Universities, and Family of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. Meanwhile, the optical fiber infrastructure was provided with the support of the Regional Councillorship for Heritage, State Property, General Services, and IT Systems.
The initiative has a dual purpose: advancing research in cybersecurity while also studying the requirements for a stable and long-term quantum connection, paving the way for future operational services. A key aspect of this study will be the coexistence of classical and quantum signals on the same infrastructure. If successful, this project will mark a significant step toward the practical implementation of quantum communication networks.
