Patient data, financial transactions, and highly sensitive political information must be protected from espionage and attacks as much as possible. On the campus of the University of Ulm, a new piece of research infrastructure has been put into operation, enabling researchers from the university and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to test and further develop the transmission of information using quantum keys. This marks the beginning of a new era of quantum communication for the city of Ulm and the surrounding region!

Quantum-based communication technologies are the future of information transmission: they allow data to be sent and received with exceptional security, and undetected eavesdropping is impossible. To research this technology, the University of Ulm and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) A joint quantum key distribution test track has been built at Oberer Eselsberg and successfully tested for the first time on Monday, January 27. "For the first time, we are sending bits and information back and forth between the University of Ulm and the German Aerospace Center (DLR)," said University President Professor Michael Weber. Professor Joachim Ankerhold, Vice President for Research, added: "This is the start of a research program from which the entire region will benefit." The DLR is contributing its expertise in optical communication, space travel, and quantum computing to the project.
The approximately 2,5-kilometer-long QKD link – the first of its kind in Baden-Württemberg between a university and a non-university research institution – runs between the University of Applied Sciences East and the DLR Institute of Quantum Technologies. For the test, both the transmitter and receiver were located in a university laboratory. The sample information consisted of medical patient data, which was transferred from one computer to the other via an existing fiber optic connection to the DLR institute and back. While this was done using conventional methods, the key to accessing this information was transmitted using quantum mechanics. It cannot be intercepted undetected by a hacker attack. This scenario was also simulated. "While we can't prevent someone from eavesdropping, we will always detect it due to quantum mechanics," explained Professor Ankerhold. "We utilize the quantum properties of light for this purpose." The quantum key is generated using photons.

The new form of information transmission is intended for use particularly in areas involving highly sensitive, personal data, such as the medical field. An interdisciplinary team from the University of Ulm will use the new QKD link for fundamental research in cryptography, quantum bit entanglement, quantum computing, and radar applications; the German Aerospace Center (DLR) will focus on application-oriented research and development. Joint experiments are also planned.

Image: Kevin Füchsel (left), Managing Director of Quantum Optics Jena, bends the fiber optic cable leading to one of the receiver modules in the laboratory to simulate a hacker attack. Dr. Matthias Zimmermann from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) (center) and Prof. Dr. Joachim Ankerhold (right) look on. (Photo: Elvira Eberhardt / University of Ulm)