The NQCIS project (National Quantum Communication Infrastructure in Sweden) has reached a major milestone with the publication of its second interim report. As part of the EuroQCI initiative, NQCIS has successfully launched Sweden’s first national quantum communication testbed, now open to external users.
The testbed is anchored at the AlbaNova University Centre in Stockholm, with a second node at Linköping University. It connects metropolitan and long-distance fiber links, enabling Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) across real-world conditions. The infrastructure supports both CV-QKD and DV-QKD systems, and includes advanced equipment such as superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), programmable polarization controllers, and secure IP-routed networks.
Key achievements include:
- Operational QKD links between Stockholm, Kista, Norrtälje, Nyköping, and Linköping, with secret key generation verified across all distances (up to 163 km).
- Cross-border collaboration with Denmark, Finland, Estonia, and Poland, laying the groundwork for integration into the pan-European EuroQCI network.
- Exploratory research into Twin-Field QKD for ultra-long-distance secure communication.
- Public outreach and education, including open days, industrial workshops, and a pilot secure video conferencing system over the QKD backbone.
The full report is available here:
