Imec And NUS To Collaborate On Chip-Based Quantum Cryptography Technology

Securing ourselves through quantum cryptography in a post-quantum world. Collaboration between imec and NUS aims to develop scalable, robust, and cost-effective quantum cryptographic systems secure against quantum-based threats.

Recently, imec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) announce the signing of a research collaboration agreement to develop chip-based prototypes for secure quantum communication networks. In the frame of this five-year agreement, imec and NUS will jointly develop scalable, robust and efficient technologies for quantum key distribution and quantum random number generation, which are amongst the basic building blocks of a truly secure Quantum Internet.

Research in quantum information science has indicated that large-scale quantum computers (when realized) will render most of today’s encryption techniques insecure. Although one might argue that such a large-scale quantum computer is still some time away, the situation is nevertheless an urgent one. To that end, two broad directions have been pursued globally, namely a software-based approach called post-quantum cryptography and a hardware-based approach called quantum cryptography.

Post-quantum cryptography is essentially about updating existing cryptographic algorithms and standards so that current infrastructures would be ready for a post-quantum digital world. It however maintains a security profile that is still based on unproven assumptions. Quantum cryptography, on the other hand, offers a much stronger security guarantee: its security is solely based on the laws of quantum physics and thus is in principle unbreakable.

Hence, with regards to critical information infrastructures with long-term security needs such as healthcare, government and banking, quantum cryptography is the safer way to go. With this approach, two essential building blocks are quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum random number generation (QRNG). At present, however, the methods and processes enabling these quantum technologies are limiting and expensive. Consequently, these bottlenecks have made quantum cryptography unattractive for wide-spread deployment.

Together, imec and NUS aim to resolve some of these bottlenecks, leveraging on the theoretical, experimental and engineering expertise of the respective R&D teams. The overarching objective is to move QKD and QRNG technologies to a platform which is much more scalable, robust, and cost-effective. The research collaboration is supported by the National Research Foundation Singapore under the Quantum Engineering Programme.

About imec
Imec is a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. The combination of our widely acclaimed leadership in microchip technology and profound software and ICT expertise is what makes us unique. By leveraging our world-class infrastructure and local and global ecosystem of partners across a multitude of industries, we create groundbreaking innovation in application domains such as healthcare, smart cities and mobility, logistics and manufacturing, energy and education.

As a trusted partner for companies, start-ups and universities we bring together more than 4,000 brilliant minds from over 97 nationalities. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium and has distributed R&D groups at a number of Flemish universities, in the Netherlands, Taiwan, USA, and offices in China, India and Japan. In 2018, imec's revenue (P&L) totaled 583 million euro. For information, visit www.imec-int.com.

About National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 17 faculties across three campuses in Singapore, as well as 12 NUS Overseas Colleges across the world. Close to 40,000 students from 100 countries enrich our vibrant and diverse campus community.

Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, 29 university-level research institutes, research centres of excellence and corporate labs focus on themes that include energy, environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases common among Asians; active ageing; advanced materials; as well as risk management and resilience of financial systems. Our latest research focus is on the use of data science, operations research and cybersecurity to support Singapore's Smart Nation initiative.

For more information, visit www.nus.edu.sg.