Quantum Communications Victoria (QCV)

Lead by CEO, Prof Geoffrey Taylor, Quantum Communications Victoria (QCV) is an initiative to build a proto-type single photon source for use in cryptography.

Our Vision:
to assist Australian Industry to understand the implications of quantum communications and to enable new avenues of competitive benefits for current industries in Australia, particularly Victoria. QCV envisages Victorian industry will play a significant role in this new communication industry which will showcase Victoria’s R&D capability both nationally and globally.

Quantum Communications Victoria (QCV) is a Victorian Government Industry Development Initiative with a focus on developing quantum technology that will enable absolute secure communication. Its research and commercialisation capabilities are those of its core partners – The University of Melbourne, MagiQ Technologies Inc, Silicon Graphics Inc, and Qucor Pty Ltd. Its key activities are to:

  • develop a world-class facility for the design and manufacture of secure quantum communication devices
  • build a strong domestic knowledge base in the field of quantum communications technology
  • strengthen the education and research infrastructure in quantum communication technology
  • attract investment

The technology being prototyped by QCV will enable absolute secure communication using the quantum properties of light. QCV is developing a device capable of producing single packets of light (photons) which can be transmitted in optical fibre. Such a device will resolve the existing issues of single photon generation in current quantum communication systems.

The QCV device is a diamond-based single photon source suitable for optical fibre-based quantum communications. Diamond is the only material capable of room-temperature operation. In this scheme, microscopic crystals of diamond are grown directly onto the tips of optical fibres, allowing the single photons emitted from the diamond crystals to be channelled directly into the fiber. The result is a robustly packaged, miniaturised and room temperature stable single-photon source.