IQN Hub’s Director, Professor Gerald Buller presented to a packed plenary session at SPIE Photonics Europe earlier this month, sharing insights into advances in imaging enabled by quantum technologies.
SPIE Photonics Europe is one of the leading European events for optics and photonics research and development. As the leading international society for optics and photonics, the conference continues to showcase world class innovation across the field.
As part of efforts to expand science engagement in rural areas, IQN Hub’s Professor Erika Andersson has been teaming up with accordionist Karen Tweed to deliver outreach activities that reimagine how quantum science can be shared with non‑specialist audiences. Instead of traditional lectures, the events combine quantum physics with music and poetry, offering new ways to explore and understand complex quantum ideas.
“Music for a Quantum Landscape”, presented at Orkney International Science Festival, explored connections between quantum physics, place and artistic expression, using live performance to translate scientific ideas into shared cultural experiences. For example, to illustrate quantum superposition, a Nordic folk tune was played on top of a well-known Orcadian tune, with the audience invited to name the tune. Audience members thought that the music, traditional knitting and poetry made learning about quantum physics very enjoyable, and the performance was praised by the Festival’s main organiser Howie Firth as “one of the finest events in the entire 35-year history of the Festival”, seamlessly combining science and art.
Erika and Karen also recently took part in North Ronaldsay Science Festival, where audience members reflected on how traditional Orcadian and Finnish knitwear incorporating wave-like patterns, can be seen as an artistic illustration of quantum entanglement. This highlights the power of creative approaches to make abstract scientific concepts more accessible and memorable. During her visit to Orkney, Erika also gave a talk to high-school students at Stromness Academy.
By taking quantum science directly to island communities, research engagement can move beyond urban centres and traditional formats, creating meaningful connections between advanced science and local culture.
More information can be found here: https://theorkneynews.scot/2025/09/27/music-for-a-quantum-landscape-orkney-international-science-festival/
Locals and attendees joining Erika and Karen for a traditional music session
Photo Credit: Sam Stringer
Orkney Science Festival
Photo Credit: Eammon Keyes
We are pleased to announce a two‑day workshop, Authentication for Quantum Networks, which will take place at King’s College London on 1–2 June 2026 funded by the Integrated Quantum Network Hub and King’s College London. The workshop will focus on the authentication requirements that underpin secure quantum communication and the development of future quantum networks.
Although QKD is often presented as offering information‑theoretic security, all QKD systems rely on an authenticated classical channel. The details of how this authentication is achieved, what guarantees it provides, and how it is implemented in practice are not always widely discussed within the quantum communications community. The aim of this workshop is to bring together researchers from quantum communications, non-quantum cryptography, theory, experiment, and industry to help build a clearer shared understanding of these issues—especially in light of recent scrutiny from organisations such as NCSC and NSA.
The programme will include:
The workshop is open to all. It will be particularly useful for experts and specialists who work on QKD but have had limited exposure to authentication, as well as for researchers from non-quantum cryptography interested in quantum applications. PhD students and early‑career researchers are especially encouraged to attend, as the tutorials are designed to give a pedagogical introduction to the subject.
A limited amount of travel support for PhD students will be available to help cover travel to and from London for those who need it. This can be requested during registration. Unfortunately, funds are limited and can only support a small number of applicants.
Further details, including the full programme, will be circulated shortly. Please visit the website to get the latest updates and register:
Photo Credit: SpaceX
A landmark space mission built on UK research excellence is set to accelerate progress in quantum communications, as the Heriot-Watt University led Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub launches the pioneering “Satellite Platform for Optical Quantum Communications” (SPOQC).
Emerging from research and development efforts led by the preceding Quantum Communications Hub and later advanced by the IQN Hub – both funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) – the mission brings together five UK research institutions working to strengthen the UK’s leadership in space-based quantum communications, addressing cybersecurity threats posed by emerging quantum computing technologies.
The SPOQC CubeSat was launched aboard a SpaceX Transporter-16 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA on 30 March 2026. The satellite is now in the final stages of “commissioning” – the setup and performance testing – after which, it will begin transmitting quantum signals to special receivers installed on a state-of-the-art facility, the Hub Optical Ground Station (HOGS), based at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
The satellite is currently in a low Earth, Sun synchronous orbit, passing over the UK approximately twice a day. Most quantum measurements will be carried out during the nighttime passes, when conditions are optimal for the experiments.
A crucial step towards establishing secure, global quantum communication networks
Quantum secure communications are a priority of the UK’s National Quantum Strategy, which identifies quantum technologies as essential for strengthening national resilience, digital infrastructure and long-term technological competitiveness.
As quantum computers grow more powerful, traditional encryption methods will become increasingly vulnerable. Quantum communications offer a futureproofed alternative, enabling ultra secure data transfer in which any attempt to intercept the signal is immediately detectable.
Terrestrial fibre networks already support quantum communication links across the globe and including in the UK (via the UK’s Quantum Network (UKQN)). However, long distances impose real limitations, which in turn affect the quality of the quantum signals.
Satellite based systems provide the only practical route to a resilient international communication infrastructure. The SPOQC mission, alongside other international missions, will advance understanding of quantum information exchange between Earth and space, offering essential insights for building global-scale quantum secure networks.
SPOQC’s unique approach
SPOQC is an entirely UK-developed research collaboration bringing together the Universities of Bristol, Heriot-Watt, Strathclyde and York, alongside the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space.
The satellite’s quantum sources (or transmitters) and corresponding ground receivers have been developed by teams at the Universities of Bristol and York, with the University of Strathclyde providing the necessary optimal conditions modelling. STFC RAL Space contributed space engineering, systems integration and mission support expertise, whilst Heriot-Watt University is operating the optical ground station. The mission also partnered with ISISPACE, which provided the satellite and overall technical support.
Uniquely, the mission uses a dual quantum source payload; one is based on discrete quantum signals, i.e. single photons or signals at the single photon level (built by the University of Bristol team) and the other is using continuous variable type signals, more like continuous pulses of light at the quantum level (developed by the University of York researchers). Both link to dedicated receivers within the optical ground station. This configuration allows researchers to switch between two established but technically distinct communication methods, increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes under varying atmospheric and orbital conditions.
By scaling these quantum technologies down to a 12U CubeSat (approximately the size of a microwave oven) we will demonstrate a critical proof-of-concept for future, compact, cost-efficient quantum-satellite communications. Working together with the HOGS research facility, SPOQC will pave the way for future commercialisation of space-based quantum networks.
SPOQC is the second quantum mission supported by UK research to launch in the past six months. It follows the November 2025 launch of SpeQtre, a UK-Singapore collaboration led by STFC RAL Space and Singaporean quantum technology company, SpeQtral.
Next Steps
As commissioning progresses, researchers will validate system performance, with full quantum communication experiments expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
Professor Tim Spiller from the University of York said: “As Director of the preceding Quantum Communications Hub, it is very pleasing to see six years of R&D by that Hub team to develop SPOQC and HOGS finally be rewarded with the launch of SPOQC. This will add a very important space link to the UK’s expanding quantum networking capability. I look forward to the first quantum demonstrations from SPOQC and HOGS later this year.”
Professor Gerald Buller, Director of the Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub said: “The SPOQC mission is the culmination of outstanding collaborations between leading UK Universities, STFC RAL Space, and external industry partners. It offers a world-first platform to critically compare different quantum communication modalities, including the first use of continuous variable approaches from space. Through the IQN Hub, the SPOQC mission is a vital enabler towards truly global quantum communication via integration into terrestrial UK networks.”
Andy Vick, Disruptive Technology Programme Lead at STFC RAL Space said: “The launch of two quantum CubeSats in close succession highlights the UK’s growing leadership in quantum technology. While both missions share a common satellite platform, SPOQC has united new partners to address new challenges. The RAL Space team is proud to have contributed from the outset, working closely with the Quantum Communications Hub, whose initial work laid strong foundations for the mission, and now supporting its delivery under the leadership of the IQN Hub. SPOQC is a big step for all the teams involved, one that we hope will pave the way for the UK’s national quantum network mission.”
Dr Kedar Pandya, Executive Director of EPSRC’s Strategy Directorate, said: “The SPOQC mission is a powerful example of how UK research leadership is shaping the future of secure global communications. By uniting worldclass expertise across our quantum research hubs, we’re demonstrating not only scientific excellence but real technological ambition. This launch marks a major step toward quantum-secure networks that will help safeguard the UK’s digital infrastructure for decades to come.”
On 12 March, Professor Calum (Malcolm) Semple, the newly appointed Chief Scientist of Scotland, visited the Hub Optical Ground Station (HOGS) at Heriot-Watt University.
As part of the visit, Professor Semple met Associate Professor Ross Donaldson who provided a demonstration of HOGS and also outlined the critical role of secure communications in supporting future industries, national resilience, and international collaboration.
Professor Semple learned how HOGS represents a significant contribution to the UK’s ambition to build a national quantum internet by 2035. The facility will play a central role in establishing quantum communication links between satellites and ground infrastructure, with several quantum-enabled satellites expected to connect to HOGS in the next two years. Among these is the Space Platform for Optical Quantum Communications (SPOQC) CubeSat, funded alongside the ground station which is due to launch on 30 March 2026.
Photo: (L-R) Professor Gabriela Medero, Professor Calum Semple, Associate Professor Ross Donaldson
A significant package worth £2 billion in UK government funding was announced today (17 March 2026) to drive research and innovation in quantum technologies. The investment aims to propel the nation’s “quantum leap”, helping to tackle disease, create highly skilled jobs, and bolster national security in line with the UK’s National Quantum Strategy.
As part of the announcement, funding has been awarded to our Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub via EPSRC through a flexible funding mechanism, the “Quantum Technologies Hubs Accelerating Capability Fund”. This Fund provides additional financial support to help bring new partners into our core work programme with a view to advancing fundamental research with the potential for substantial impact; strengthening critical new testbed capabilities to enhance UK-wide access to facilities; and enabling early pathways to commercialisation of key technologies contributing to a sovereign UK quantum ecosystem.
Overall, the government investment will support delivery of the National Quantum Strategy Missions and – in the case of our IQN Hub – specifically the UK’s objective to deploy the world’s most advanced quantum network at scale by 2035, pioneering the future quantum internet.
As part of the Government announcement, Hub Director, Professor Gerald Buller commented:
“This exciting new support will ensure that the UK enhances its position as a leader in the development of quantum-secured communications and the future “quantum internet”. Today’s announcement will allow researchers in the EPSRC Integrated Quantum Networks Hub, together with our industry and governmental partners, to continue to lay the foundations for our future national security needs and supercharge the impact of new quantum computing and quantum sensing technologies.”
The announcement also outlines dedicated funding towards key quantum initiatives in quantum computing, fresh support for the Quantum Software Lab and an extra £13.8 million injected into the UK’s 5 National Quantum Research Hubs. More broadly, the announcement of a further £125m in dedicated funding for quantum networking, in addition to £90m to support quantum infrastructure and a further £20m towards skills and training programmes represents a major boost to investment in the UK’s quantum communications and networking ecosystem.
Through the partnership of the IQN Hub and our collaborators in industry, research and government, this funding will help to grow the UK talent pipeline, encourage the next wave of leading UK businesses, and secure long-term UK leadership in quantum technologies.
More information about the funding can be found here.
Information on how to work with the IQN Hub can be found here.
You can read IQN Hub’s March Newsletter here.
A recent workshop organised by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the University of York at the STEM Learning Centre, York provided a unique opportunity for users of single-photon technology to build practical skills and deepen their understanding of measurement techniques.
The workshop was supported by funding from the Integrated Quantum Networks Hub and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with additional support from the European Metrology Network for Quantum Technologies.
Thirty-three registered participants (15 from industry, 1 from government and 17 from academia) attended the three-day workshop in York which provided training and skills in the fast-advancing field of single-photon technology. It covered theoretical and practical aspects of measurements at the single-photon level through a combination of lectures, demonstrations and in-person experiments, and was designed primarily for industry and particularly those new to single-photon technology, or in need of a refresher. Researchers and graduate students working in government and academia were also welcome.
Lectures in the mornings were open to graduate students, attracting 31 additional attendees. Expert contributions came from NPL, the University of York, the National Metrology Institutes of Germany (PTB – Stefan Kück), Italy (INRiM – Alice Meda) and the United States (NIST – John Lehman) and measurement company, Swabian Instruments GmbH. Demonstrations and experiments took place in the afternoons.
The workshop which had overwhelmingly positive feedback, was co-organised by Hub investigators Christopher Chunnilall of NPL and Marco Lucamarini of the University of York. It was conceived by Christopher after being inspired by the ‘<Q|School Single Photonics Short Course’ course run by the University of Colorado and NIST, and was brought to fruition at the STEM Learning Centre in York with enthusiastic support and contributions from members of Marco’s Experimental Quantum Communications Group.
Contacts: christopher.chunnilall@npl.co.uk, marco.lucamarini@york.ac.uk
A fully funded PhD studentship in Quantum Networking is now open at the University of York, aligned with the IQN Hub and working with our co-investigator Professor Stefano Pirandola.
The successful candidate will be working at the forefront of future quantum communications infrastructure in close collaboration with industrial partners. You would be joining a world leading research environment and be part of the UK’s growing effort to build scalable, real world quantum networks.
Full details of the position can be found here: (https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/phd-studentship-in-quantum-networking/?p194472)
We encourage suitable candidates to join our vibrant community, contributing to inspirational and life-changing research.
