Quantum-Secure Fiber-Coupled Underwater Communication for Next-Generation Maritime Defence
Underwater environments represent a major technological frontier, with critical relevance for military submarines, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and offshore infrastructure security. Addressing this challenge, DFM has received new funding from the Thomas B. Thriges Foundation for the project “Quantum-Secure Fiber-Coupled Underwater Communication for Next-Generation Maritime Defence.”
The project brings together strong academic partners from the Technical University of Denmark, including the Quantum Network Group, as well as the Gas Photonics Group. Together, the consortium aims to develop the first quantum-grade, deployable single-photon source specifically designed for underwater optical propagation. “Our goal is to develop high-purity quantum materials and integrate them directly into the optical transmission channel for quantum-secure communication in the ocean. This is a highly challenging task, but one with significant impact,” says Dr. Khan, Head of Quantum Materials at DFM.
The project directly addresses key limitations in subsea quantum networks, including photon loss in water, spectral mismatch with the underwater transmission window, and the lack of scalable, quantum-compatible hardware. In addition, the project will collaborate with Danish defence engineering company TERMA to explore pathways for technological integration.
Consortium:
- DFM- Quantum Materials Dept., led by Sabbir A. Khan, will develop the quantum hardware platform, fabricating nanowires with quantum dots using a state-of-the-art Ultra-high vacuum MBE system.
- DTU- Quantum Network Group, led by Nika Akopian, will develop the integration of nanowire quantum dots into hollow-core optical fibers and demonstrate quantum metrics.
- DTU- Gas Photonics Group, led by Christos Markos, will develop high-efficiency quantum frequency conversion from 780 nm to 475 nm using hydrogen-filled hollow-core fibers and stimulated Raman upconversion.