The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is leading efforts to establish measurement standards for quantum technologies through its Quantum Communications Division. This work involves close collaboration with universities, government agencies, and private companies to build the infrastructure needed for the next generation of global communication. Currently, the division is in an active research phase, focusing on creating the testing methods and material characterizations required to support both superconducting quantum processors and long-distance quantum networks.
The ultimate goal is to scale quantum computing and enable secure, long-distance data transfer by bridging the gap between lab experiments and real-world applications. Key technical efforts include developing ways to convert quantum signals between different formats and creating metropolitan-scale testbeds to prove how quantum information moves. While specific implementation timelines are not yet defined, these advancements are essential for making quantum networks practical and commercially viable in the coming years.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/ctl/quantum-communications-division
Keywords: superconducting circuits, microwave-to-optical conversion, quantum networking
