Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

The Impact of quantum technologies on the EU's future policies: Part 1 Quantum Time

Lewis Adam

Published Jan 1, 2017• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Atomic clocks are a quantum technology, used in national metrology laboratories to define UTC and in various networked infrastructure. Developments in the clocks themselves, and in the distribution of precise time, can be expected to affect several application areas of importance to European policy.
DOI
10.2760/832942

Related papers

THE IMPACT OF QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES ON EU’S FUTURE POLICIES PART 2Quantum Communications: from science to policies

Martino Travagnin, Lewis Adam

Quantum physics yields cryptographic applications which are expected to contribute to communications security, in particular by providing protection against attacks by future quantum computers. Technology development programmes in quantum communications, including the deployment of quantum networks, are therefore being funded worldwide. Europe should accelerate the industrial uptake of its scientific knowledge in the field.

•Jan 1, 2017•5 citations

Optical atomic clocks: defining the future of time and frequency metrology

Tara M. Fortier, Andre Nicholas Luiten, Helen S. Margolis

Optical atomic clocks based on laser-cooled trapped ions and atoms have advanced rapidly over the past decade. With fractional frequency uncertainties now surpassing 10 −18 , they are some of the most precise measurement tools ever built. Yet researchers are still pursuing new avenues of research to explore the fundamental limits to their stability, accuracy, and reproducibility. In this mini-review, we provide a survey of the current state of the art by describing the fundamental principles and techniques that underpin this progress, the architectures used to realize optical clocks, and the supporting laser technologies that are essential to their operation. We also examine the progress that has been made toward a redefinition of the second in the International System of Units and the inclusion of optical clocks into the global time and frequency metrology infrastructure. Finally, we discuss emerging applications of optical clocks and look at the prospects for making their precision more readily accessible to end users.

Optica•Dec 10, 2025•17 citations

Quantum Protocols for Time Synchronisation and Distribution: A Critical Assessment

Michal Krelina, Utku Tefek, Zeki C. Seskir +1 more

Precise time synchronisation underpins critical infrastructure from telecommunications and financial markets to power grids and scientific metrology. Several families of quantum protocols have been proposed and demonstrated for clock synchronisation and time distribution, exploiting entangled photon pairs, quantum key distribution (QKD) correlations, Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, and entangled clock networks. We critically assess these approaches, reviewing the main quantum time synchronisation (QTS) protocol families, quantifying the gap between theory and experiment, and identifying practical bottlenecks in sources, detectors, and channels. We survey the classical timing landscape from Network Time Protocol (NTP) and GPS to laboratory-grade optical frequency transfer, and compare quantum and classical methods at equivalent maturity. We examine use cases including financial trading, power grids, telecommunications, scientific metrology, and military applications, evaluating whether quantum timing offers a realistic advantage. We show that time transfer, not clock performance, is now the bottleneck for distributed optical timekeeping: the best demonstrated synchronisation uncertainty (2.46~ps) falls two to three orders of magnitude short of what optical clocks with fractional frequency uncertainties of $10^{-18}$--$10^{-19}$ require. Our assessment is that quantum time synchronisation will not replace classical methods for most applications in the near-to-medium future. Its near-term value lies in physical-layer security against timing manipulation and integration with quantum communication networks, while closing the synchronisation gap for scientific metrology remains the most critical open challenge.

quant-pharXiv:2604.10243•EPJ Quantum Technology•Apr 14, 2026•0 citations

Quantum Technologies: Implications for European Policy: Issues for debate

Lewis Adam, Kraemer Meret, Martino Travagnin

New technologies for communications, computing, sensing and timing, which exploit quantum physics more deeply than heretofore, are expected to have high impact and to require a European policy response. This paper raises key discussion points, as a contribution to a wider EC initiative.

•Jan 1, 2016•0 citations

Quantum technologies in space

Rainer Kaltenbaek, Antonio Acin, Laszlo Bacsardi +17 more

Recently, the European Commission supported by many European countries has announced large investments towards the commercialization of quantum technology (QT) to address and mitigate some of the biggest challenges facing today's digital era - e.g. secure communication and computing power. For more than two decades the QT community has been working on the development of QTs, which promise landmark breakthroughs leading to commercialization in various areas. The ambitious goals of the QT community and expectations of EU authorities cannot be met solely by individual initiatives of single countries, and therefore, require a combined European effort of large and unprecedented dimensions comparable only to the Galileo or Copernicus programs. Strong international competition calls for a coordinated European effort towards the development of QT in and for space, including research and development of technology in the areas of communication and sensing. Here, we aim at summarizing the state of the art in the development of quantum technologies which have an impact in the field of space applications. Our goal is to outline a complete framework for the design, development, implementation, and exploitation of quantum technology in space.

arXiv:2107.01387•Experimental Astronomy•Jun 1, 2021•73 citations

The Impact of quantum technologies on the EU's Future Policies: Part 3 Perspectives for Quantum Computing

Lewis Adam, F. Di Carlo, Martino Travagnin +1 more

This report describes a survey of opinions in relevant technology communities regarding the best options for research and development of quantum computing, the likely impact on various sectors, and the expected timescales. The survey is intended to contribute to the preparatory discussions for the quantum technology Future and Emerging Technology (FET) Flagship, planned for 2020-30. The overall view of the participants on the technological perspectives for quantum computing is positive and it is seen as likely to be benign.

•Jan 1, 2018•8 citations
Optical atomic clocks based on laser-cooled trapped ions and atoms have advanced rapidly over the past decade. With fractional frequency uncertainties now surpassing 10 −18 , they are some of the most precise measurement tools ever built. Yet researchers are still pursuing new avenues of research to explore the fundamental limits to their stability, accuracy, and reproducibility. In this mini-review, we provide a survey of the current state of the art by describing the fundamental principles and techniques that underpin this progress, the architectures used to realize optical clocks, and the supporting laser technologies that are essential to their operation. We also examine the progress that has been made toward a redefinition of the second in the International System of Units and the inclusion of optical clocks into the global time and frequency metrology infrastructure. Finally, we discuss emerging applications of optical clocks and look at the prospects for making their precision more readily accessible to end users.
Precise time synchronisation underpins critical infrastructure from telecommunications and financial markets to power grids and scientific metrology. Several families of quantum protocols have been proposed and demonstrated for clock synchronisation and time distribution, exploiting entangled photon pairs, quantum key distribution (QKD) correlations, Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, and entangled clock networks. We critically assess these approaches, reviewing the main quantum time synchronisation (QTS) protocol families, quantifying the gap between theory and experiment, and identifying practical bottlenecks in sources, detectors, and channels. We survey the classical timing landscape from Network Time Protocol (NTP) and GPS to laboratory-grade optical frequency transfer, and compare quantum and classical methods at equivalent maturity. We examine use cases including financial trading, power grids, telecommunications, scientific metrology, and military applications, evaluating whether quantum timing offers a realistic advantage. We show that time transfer, not clock performance, is now the bottleneck for distributed optical timekeeping: the best demonstrated synchronisation uncertainty (2.46~ps) falls two to three orders of magnitude short of what optical clocks with fractional frequency uncertainties of 10−1810^{-18}10−18--10−1910^{-19}10−19 require. Our assessment is that quantum time synchronisation will not replace classical methods for most applications in the near-to-medium future. Its near-term value lies in physical-layer security against timing manipulation and integration with quantum communication networks, while closing the synchronisation gap for scientific metrology remains the most critical open challenge.
Recently, the European Commission supported by many European countries has announced large investments towards the commercialization of quantum technology (QT) to address and mitigate some of the biggest challenges facing today's digital era - e.g. secure communication and computing power. For more than two decades the QT community has been working on the development of QTs, which promise landmark breakthroughs leading to commercialization in various areas. The ambitious goals of the QT community and expectations of EU authorities cannot be met solely by individual initiatives of single countries, and therefore, require a combined European effort of large and unprecedented dimensions comparable only to the Galileo or Copernicus programs. Strong international competition calls for a coordinated European effort towards the development of QT in and for space, including research and development of technology in the areas of communication and sensing. Here, we aim at summarizing the state of the art in the development of quantum technologies which have an impact in the field of space applications. Our goal is to outline a complete framework for the design, development, implementation, and exploitation of quantum technology in space.
This report describes a survey of opinions in relevant technology communities regarding the best options for research and development of quantum computing, the likely impact on various sectors, and the expected timescales. The survey is intended to contribute to the preparatory discussions for the quantum technology Future and Emerging Technology (FET) Flagship, planned for 2020-30. The overall view of the participants on the technological perspectives for quantum computing is positive and it is seen as likely to be benign.