Collaboration to strengthen quantum communications networks

An international partnership to create next-generation superconducting photon detectors for applications such as secure quantum communication networks in optical fibre and space, has been announced by the University of Glasgow and the Sung Kyung Kwan University (SKKU) in the Republic of Korea.

The five-year ‘Joint research centre in Superconducting Electro-Optic technology for Near-infrared single photon counting’ project, (JOSEON), will be led by Professor Robert Hadfield, of the James Watt School of Engineering, at Glasgow and Professor Yonuk Chong, of the SKKU Advanced Institute of Nanotechnology.

JOSEON, which is also the historic name for the Kingdom of Korea, is one of four Korea-Europe Quantum Science and Technology Collaboration Centres selected for funding by the National Research Council of Korea. It will be supported by £2.8m in funding across its lifespan.

During a ceremony to kick-start the project, also attended by visiting research students at Glasgow’s Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre, Professor Chong said: “I am delighted to be working with my good friend Professor Robert Hadfield, who is a renowned expert in superconducting photon detectors. I am impressed by the superb facilities in the ARC and the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre at the University of Glasgow.”

Professor Hadfield added: “It is a great honour that our project was selected by the National Research Foundation of Korea. This will facilitate exchange of expertise on superconducting devices and accelerate scientific progress on emerging quantum technologies. 

“I am very pleased to be hosting Dongki Cho and Beomgyu Choi as visiting postgraduate researchers and I am looking forward to visiting Professor Chong’s labs and facilities at SKKU Suwon.”

The JOSEON partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding on Research Co-operation between the University of Glasgow and SKKU signed in March 2022.

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