{"id":21297,"date":"2025-11-19T16:36:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T14:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grnet.gr\/?p=21297"},"modified":"2025-11-19T16:36:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T14:36:24","slug":"hellasqci-project-advances-quantumenetworkingresearch-eppsendusertraining-22oct2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grnet.gr\/en\/2025\/11\/19\/hellasqci-project-advances-quantumenetworkingresearch-eppsendusertraining-22oct2025\/","title":{"rendered":"HellasQCI project advances Quantum Networking Research: EPPs acquisition and training session, 22 October 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

HellasQCI \u2013 a project coordinated by GRNET \u2013 with the guidance of the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance, and the support of the General Secretariat of Telecommunications and Post, took a <\/span>significant step forward in advancing quantum networking research in Greece<\/b> with the acquisition of two state-of-the-art Entangled Photon Pair Sources (EPPSs), on 15\u201316 September 2025.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The systems were installed at the Optical Communications and Photonic Technology Laboratory (OptComm Lab) of the <\/span>National and Kapodistrian University of Athens<\/span><\/a> and at the <\/span>Photonics Communications Research Laboratory<\/span><\/a> (PCRL) of the National Technical University of Athens. The installation and demonstration were performed by Zerothird<\/a>, a division of Quantum Industries GmbH.<\/span><\/p>\n

On 22 October 2025, as part of the procurement and installation activities for the EPPS systems\u2014which support experiments on the generation, distribution, and detection of entangled photons during the use-case testing phase of the national quantum infrastructure network HellasQCI\u2014the consortium organised and participated in an online training session on EPPS operation, maintenance, and capabilities. The training was delivered by <\/span>Zerothird<\/span><\/a>, a company specialising in next-generation quantum cryptography and specifically Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) based on entangled photons. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The new EPPSs, in combination with HellasQCI\u2019s superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (<\/span>SNSPDs<\/span><\/a>), form an advanced experimental platform designed to explore the full potential of quantum entanglement. This platform will enable sophisticated experiments, including entanglement distribution, entanglement swapping, and quantum networking \u2013 in full alignment with <\/span>HellasQCI Use Case #12 <\/b>\u2014 <\/span>Preparing for the quantum internet<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The training ensured that the engaged teams are fully equipped to integrate the sources into ongoing and future experiments. Moreover, the training demonstrated the consortium\u2019s growing interest in the entangled photon source and the BBM92 protocol and strengthened cross-partner collaboration within HellasQCI.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HellasQCI positions Greece<\/b> at the <\/span>forefront of quantum information research<\/b>, enabling cutting-edge experiments that pave the way toward the emerging Quantum Internet and next-generation quantum technologies. Next steps include leveraging the EPPS\u2013SNSPD platform to support broader national and European quantum networks and systems that will ensure enhanced security for sensitive data and critical infrastructures in Greece and across Europe within the EuroQCI initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Stats on the EPPSs Training Session<\/b><\/p>\n