In a groundbreaking advancement for quantum technology research, the University of Michigan has successfully established a quantum testbed that interconnects two separate laboratories via optical fiber. This innovative setup enables researchers and students to conduct sophisticated quantum experiments remotely, overcoming previous barriers related to facility access and geographic constraints. The two labs, led by associate professors Zheshen Zhang and Parag Deotare, are located approximately three miles apart on the university’s North and Central Campus, respectively. This physical separation has been bridged through a dedicated optical fiber link, enabling the direct transfer of quantum information encoded in light—quantum states known as qubits—between the sites.
Quantum technology, which manipulates particles and photons at scales far smaller than an atom, holds the promise to revolutionize computing, communication, and sensing. A critical quantum phenomenon is entanglement, wherein pairs of particles become instantaneously correlated regardless of their physical distance. However, studying and utilizing entanglement over long distances requires specialized equipment and physical access to research sites—resources that have often limited the participation of many scientists. By creating this quantum network link between their labs, Zhang and Deotare not only facilitate real-time quantum information transfer but also democratize access to cutting-edge quantum experimental infrastructure.
The underlying principle enabling this connection builds on the well-established use of optical fibers for classical internet and telecommunications. What sets this endeavor apart is the transmission of quantum information rather than conventional data, a feat that demands preserving delicate quantum states without decoherence or loss over fiber optic cables. These quantum states include single photons entangled in properties such as polarization or phase, which must be generated, manipulated, and detected with extreme precision. The testbed deployed by the University of Michigan team is thus both a technological and scientific breakthrough, serving as a prototype for future larger-scale quantum networks.
The research group has already successfully demonstrated the transport of entangled photons across this fiber link, showing that intricate quantum phenomena can be sustained over metropolitan-scale distances. These initial experiments prove the viability of distributed quantum science on a campus-wide scale and establish foundational protocols for quantum key distribution, quantum teleportation, and other complex quantum communication tasks. Beyond the hardware, the team has incorporated a unique educational component by providing interactive demonstrations at the website qreal.cloud. Here, users can visualize how quantum theories translate into experimental data, facilitating a new wave of quantum literacy among students and researchers who lack direct lab access.
Specialized hardware is essential for generating quantum states of light, such as single-photon sources, entangled photon pairs, and single-photon detectors. The scarcity and cost of such equipment have traditionally confined quantum experimentation to highly specialized laboratories with ample funding. The Michigan testbed aims to dismantle this exclusivity by providing a remotely accessible quantum resource environment, a move poised to accelerate innovation by enabling wider participation from academia, industry, and national labs. Remote access to the testbed could revolutionize technology transfer by allowing practitioners from across disciplines and geographies to run real quantum experiments from anywhere.
The collaboration between Zhang and Deotare represents the embryonic stage of a more ambitious vision: a scalable, interconnected quantum network that spans not just multiple labs at the University of Michigan but extends to neighboring universities and industrial partners. By exploiting the dense local fiber infrastructure in Ann Arbor, facilitated in partnership with Merit Network—a local telecommunications service provider—the researchers anticipate constructing a robust testbed backbone supporting diverse quantum platforms. These include emerging quantum systems such as neutral atoms, 2D materials, trapped ions, and superconducting qubits, many of which are already subjects of study at Michigan.
This quantum network testbed serves a dual purpose. Scientifically, it enables groundbreaking research into multi-node quantum communication architectures, entanglement distribution over realistic distances, and fault-tolerant quantum information processing. Educationally and industrially, it functions as a dynamic training ground for the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers. Industry researchers can immerse themselves in hands-on experience with distributed quantum systems to better understand the engineering challenges and physical principles underlying quantum technology, paving the way for workforce development in this rapidly expanding field.
The successful implementation of the quantum testbed builds upon meticulous work by a dedicated team of Ph.D. students who engineered the connection and developed remote testing protocols. Alexander McFarland, Visuttha Manthamkarn, and Kailu Zhou were instrumental in integrating the hardware and software components required to run complex experiments remotely. The project has benefitted from funding by the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Research, supporting its core infrastructure development, as well as additional funding from the National Science Foundation directed toward educational initiatives linked to the testbed.
From a broader perspective, this testbed exemplifies the emerging paradigm shift in quantum science—from isolated proof-of-concept experiments within single labs to distributed, networked quantum systems capable of scalable applications. As quantum research increasingly moves toward building universal quantum networks, the ability to remotely control, synchronize, and analyze quantum devices provides unparalleled research flexibility. The University of Michigan testbed thus stands at the forefront of this transformation, laying essential groundwork that will empower the quantum innovation ecosystem locally and beyond.
Zheshen Zhang captured the essence of this technological leap by likening the quantum fiber link to an extension of today’s classical internet infrastructure. Instead of merely transmitting classical data bits, this link distributes quantum states of light—carriers of qubits—with potential applications ranging from ultra-secure quantum cryptography to teleportation protocols vital for future quantum computers. The unique properties of quantum states, such as superposition and entanglement, open possibilities that transcend classical communications limits, ushering in an era where information security and computational power are profoundly enhanced.
Ultimately, the testbed developed at the University of Michigan is more than a campus infrastructure upgrade; it represents a strategic investment in the future of quantum technologies. By bridging physical distance and institutional boundaries, it fosters collaboration, innovation, and education. The research team’s forward-looking mission is to evolve this platform into a comprehensive quantum internet test environment where multiple quantum systems work in tandem, enabling researchers across the globe to participate in the quantum revolution.
The implications of this work resonate beyond academia, promising to influence the industries of tomorrow through advancements in secure communications, high-performance computing, and sensing. As global demand for quantum technologies grows, efforts such as the University of Michigan’s quantum testbed will become pivotal, shaping national and international quantum research infrastructures. This initiative simultaneously nurtures talent and catalyzes new scientific discoveries, securing the university’s position as a leader in the global quantum landscape.
Subject of Research: Quantum communication networks; quantum information transfer; quantum entanglement distribution
Article Title: University of Michigan Establishes Remote-Accessible Quantum Testbed Linking Distributed Labs via Optical Fiber
News Publication Date: Not specified
Web References: https://qreal.cloud/, https://quantumlab.engin.umich.edu/, https://optoexcitonics.engin.umich.edu/, https://www.merit.edu/
References: Funded by U-M Office of the Vice President for Research and National Science Foundation
Image Credits: Not specified
Keywords: Quantum information, Quantum computing, Quantum entanglement, Quantum optics, Applied sciences and engineering, Technology
