Quantum Computing National Laboratory Development

A consortium led by the ELKH Wigner Research Center for Physics (Wigner FK) has won a HUF 3.5 billion grant from the National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH) to develop the Quantum Informatics National Laboratory (KNL).

According to a statement issued by the National Research Council on Monday, the key objectives of the project, which will be implemented over the next three years, include the establishment of a national quantum communication network, the physical implementation of the building blocks of quantum computing, and the creation of a specialist base capable of developing and performing cutting-edge simulations in the field of quantum systems and quantum computing.

The other members of the consortium running the national laboratory, which will be set up in 2020 to bring together national quantum computing and quantum physics research, are the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) and Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE).

Quantum technology is now being used in physical systems for processing, storing and transmitting information, marking the start of another major breakthrough in the field. Harnessing specific quantum phenomena, such as quantum superposition and entanglement, as novel resources, can bring about a qualitative change in communication, information and computing technologies.

This phase of development, known as the "second quantum revolution," offers previously unimaginable new opportunities, but also intellectual and technical challenges for the economy and society. Therefore, as in the rest of the world, Hungary needs a close collaboration of the best Hungarian researchers and engineers in this field.

The communication underlines that the Quantum Computing National Laboratory has nearly 20 internationally renowned research teams from Hungarian research institutes and universities working to put Hungary at the forefront of this field.

Alongside almost 80 researchers, the project involves some 50 PhD students and 60 university students. Once the preparatory work is completed, the actual research and development work will start soon.

The joint project of Wigner FK, BME and ELTE, entitled ‘Complex Development of the National Laboratory for Quantum Informatics’, is funded by NKFIH with HUF 3.475 billion over the next three years under the call for proposals ‘Establishment and complex development of national laboratories’.