The QTF Backbone: proposal for a nationwide optical fibre backbone in germany for quantum technology and time and frequency metrology

Abstract The recent breakthroughs in the distribution of quantum information and high-precision time and frequency (T&F) signals over long-haul optical fibre networks have transformative potential for physically secure communications, resilience of timing infrastructure (such as that supporting Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)) and fundamental physics. To date, these capabilities remain confined to isolated testbeds, with quantum and T&F signals accessible, for example in Germany, to only a few institutions. In this white paper we propose the QTF Backbone: a dedicated national fibre-optic infrastructure in Germany for the networked distribution of Q uantum and T&F signals using dark fibres and specialised hardware. The QTF Backbone is planned as a four-phase deployment over ten years to ensure scalable, sustainable access for research institutions and industry. The concept builds on successful demonstrations of time and frequency distribution at high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) across Europe, including PTB–MPQ links in Germany, REFIMEVE in France, and the Italian LIFT network. The QTF Backbone will enable transformative Research and Development (R&D), support a nationwide QTF ecosystem, and ensure the transition from innovation to deployment. As a national and European hub, it will position Germany and Europe at the forefront of quantum networking, as well as T&F transfer.

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Publication Details

Journal
The European Physical Journal Special Topics
Published
2026-07-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02451-3
Primary Topic
Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

The QTF Backbone: proposal for a nationwide optical fibre backbone in germany for quantum technology and time and frequency metrology

Susanne Naegele-Jackson, Robert Heinkelmann, Thomas Fröhlich, Ann‐Kathrin Kniggendorf et al.
The European Physical Journal Special Topics
Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
article

The QTF Backbone: proposal for a nationwide optical fibre backbone in germany for quantum technology and time and frequency metrology

Susanne Naegele-Jackson, Robert Heinkelmann, Thomas Fröhlich, Ann‐Kathrin Kniggendorf, Michael Krist, Cornelia Denz, Fei Ding, K Blaum, Jakob Flury, C. Glingener, Thomas Halfmann, Nils Huntemann, Manfred Lochter, F. X. Kärtner, Thomas Eickermann, Fedor Jelezko, Ulrike Blumröder, S. Schiller, L. Agazzi, G. V. Astakhov, J Bouman, David Hunger, Dmitry Budker, Stefan Kremling, Stefan Filipp, Jan Kodet, Dmitry Khabi, Peter Holleczek, Sascha Kwasniok, Johann Furthner, Fritz Hack, Joachim Ankerhold, Gerd Leuchs, Carsten Klempt, Hendrik Bekker, Wolfgang Hommel, Rüdiger Grimm, Thomas Klügel, Rainer Bockholt, Philippe Jousset, Heike Kaufmann, Erik Busley, Ingo Baumann, Tobias Heindel, Hans‐Joachim Bungartz, Thomas Hühn, Thomas Kissinger, Helmut Grießer, Bernd Jungbluth, Claus Braxmaier, Stefanie Barz, S. Alighanbari, Christoph Becher, Harald Hofmann, Wolfgang Ertmer, Florian Elsen, Niklas Hegemann, Tara Cubel Liebisch, Rainer Baumgart, Peter Loock, Tim Johann, Marc Fischer, Andreas Hanemann, R. Holzwarth, Jochen Kronjäger, Christian Grimm, Oliver Benson, Markus Krutzik, José R. Crespo López-Urrutia, Yuri Litvinov, Enrico Brehm, Guido Dietl, Cigdem Issever, Peter Kaufmann, Michael Kramer, Daniel Harlacher, Klaus Jöns, Joachim Kopp, Yvonne Leifels, Stefan Kück, Dagmar Bruss, Dieter Meschede, Thomas Hildmann, Bruno Höft, Kay Uwe Giering, Immanuel Bloch, Christian Deppe, Christian Lisdat, Sven Höfling, Theodor Hänsch, Uwe Konrad, David Hock, Luis Hellmich, Andreas Gritsch, Paolo Bianco, Harald Schnatz, Urs Hugentobler, Ilia Gerhardt, Jonas Kankel, Ronald Bieber
article en

Abstract

Abstract The recent breakthroughs in the distribution of quantum information and high-precision time and frequency (T&F) signals over long-haul optical fibre networks have transformative potential for physically secure communications, resilience of timing infrastructure (such as that supporting Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)) and fundamental physics. To date, these capabilities remain confined to isolated testbeds, with quantum and T&F signals accessible, for example in Germany, to only a few institutions. In this white paper we propose the QTF Backbone: a dedicated national fibre-optic infrastructure in Germany for the networked distribution of Q uantum and T&F signals using dark fibres and specialised hardware. The QTF Backbone is planned as a four-phase deployment over ten years to ensure scalable, sustainable access for research institutions and industry. The concept builds on successful demonstrations of time and frequency distribution at high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) across Europe, including PTB–MPQ links in Germany, REFIMEVE in France, and the Italian LIFT network. The QTF Backbone will enable transformative Research and Development (R&D), support a nationwide QTF ecosystem, and ensure the transition from innovation to deployment. As a national and European hub, it will position Germany and Europe at the forefront of quantum networking, as well as T&F transfer.

The European Physical Journal Special Topics
University of Stuttgart (DE), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (DE), Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (DE), Leibniz University Hannover (DE), Technische Universität Ilmenau (DE), Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (DE), Federal Office for Information Security (DE), ADVA Optical Networking (Germany) (DE), University of Bonn (DE), Universität Hamburg (DE), GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research (DE), Forschungszentrum Jülich (DE), Deutscher Wetterdienst (DE), University of Cologne (DE), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (DE), Universität Ulm (DE), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (DE), University of Siegen (DE), Paderborn University (DE), University of Münster (DE), University of Würzburg (DE), Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (DE), Deutsche Bahn (Germany) (DE), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (DE), Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY (DE), University of Koblenz and Landau (DE), Deutsches Forschungsnetz (DE), Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences (DE), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) (DE), Technische Universität Darmstadt (DE), Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (DE), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE), Universität der Bundeswehr München (DE), Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques (DE), Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Matter (DE), Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (DE), Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (DE), Menlo Systems (Germany) (DE), Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (DE), Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (DE), Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (DE), Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck (DE), Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (DE), Quantum Design (Germany) (DE), German Liver Foundation (DE), Hamburg Institut (Germany) (DE), GlaxoSmithKline (Germany) (DE), GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (DE), Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (DE), Cycle (Germany) (DE), Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (DE), Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (DE), Universität Koblenz (DE), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (DE), Technische Universität Berlin (DE), Technical University of Munich (DE), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE), RWTH Aachen University (DE), Ruhr University Bochum (DE), Saarland University (DE), Technische Universität Braunschweig (DE), University of California, Berkeley (US)
European Commission, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
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