NTT Develops Long-lived Quantum Memory

NTT, in partnership with Japan's National Institute of Informatics and Osaka University, announced a new approach in the development of a long-lived quantum memory that could be used in quantum computing.

The research involves a superconductor diamond quantum hybrid system in which a dark state was shown to be 150 ns, an order of magnitude longer than previous attempts to hold state. By using a gap-tunable superconducting flux qubit, the researchers were able to change the energy without decreasing the lifetime of the memory.

http://www.ntt.co.jp/news2014/1404e/140408a.html

In November 2013, NTT announced a quantum buffer on an optical waveguide that takes advantage of the "slow light effect:, where the propagation speed of a pulsed light in a special optical waveguide slows significantly compared with the speed of light in vacuum.

The company said this innovation facilitates the precise synchronization of photons, thereby creating a buffer that could be used to create quantum computers.  Experiments have shown that the buffer can slow down the speed of pulsed photons to 1/60 of the speed of light in vacuum while faithfully preserving its quantum state. The device used for this demonstration was created by NTT Basic Research Laboratories fabricated by coupling nanocavities with a total length of 840 μm using a silicon photonic crystal.

The research was published in the UK science journal “Nature Communications”.

http://www.ntt.co.jp/news2013/1311e/131112a.html

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Toshiba Research, BT and ADVA Test ‘Quantum Leap’ Encryption

Toshiba Research Europe, BT, ADVA Optical Networking and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the UK’s National Measurement Institute, have tested Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology over a live fibre network.

BT said the idea behind the trial is to leverage the principles of quantum mechanics in transmitting encryption key information. Any attempt to intercept the key can be identified, as it introduces anomalies which can be detected. If this occurs, the ‘transaction’ can be aborted, and a new key sent automatically. By sending multiple quantum keys every second, the security of a fibre line can be constantly monitored and attempts to ‘tap’ the signal can be instantly identified.

The test was conducted using quantum equipment developed by Toshiba, measured and evaluated by the Quantum Detection Group at NPL, and running in conjunction with ADVA Optical Networking’s encryption equipment over a live BT fibre link between Adastral Park, BT’s technology research campus in Suffolk, and another BT site in Ipswich.

"The first field trial of QKD on lit fibre marks an importance advance for the technology. Using techniques to filter out noise from the very weak quantum signals, we’ve shown that QKD can be operated on optical fibres installed in the ground and carrying conventional data signals," stated Andrew Shields from Toshiba Research Europe in Cambridge.

This means QKD can be implemented without the need for additional ‘dark fibre’ that is often unavailable or prohibitively expensive.”

http://www.btplc.com/News/Articles/ShowArticle.cfm?ArticleID=05C86FD3-A148-443C-AF60-00F3C6E60B53

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Huawei Saw a 21% Jump in its Services Business Last Year

As a follow-up to its 2013 financial report issued last month, Huawei provided additional detail on its services business:  2013 sales from services amounted to US$8.59 billion, a YoY increase of 21.3%, accounting for 31% of the total Carrier Network Business Group (CNBG) revenue, making it the fastest-growing business for the group.

Huawei said its services group saw traction from End-to-End (E2E) Network Planning and Evolution, Managed Services, and Customer Experience Management (CEM) solutions.

Mr. David Leizhankui, Senior Vice President of Huawei Global Technical Service, said: "By enabling network and service evolution, Huawei Service has worked closely with carriers on their day-to-day operations, giving us deep insights and understanding into carriers' networks, services and customer experience. In fact, Services have become indispensable for meeting carrier demands."

http://pr.huawei.com/en/news/hw-333405-services.htm#.U13YkfldWP0

On 31-Mar-2014, Huawei reported 2013 sales revenues of CNY239 billion (US$38.45 billion), up 8.5% year-on-year (11.6% YOY growth in USD), and net profit of CNY21 billion (US$3.38 billion).  In its newly released annual report, the privately-held company said financial performance was strong across all business areas.

Some 2013 highlights:

• Huawei's carrier network business achieved CNY166.5 billion in sales revenue, up 4.0% year-on-year. 
• Enterprise and consumer businesses revenue increased by 32.4% and 17.8% to CNY15.2 billion and CNY57.0 billion, respectively. 
• Huawei earned 65% of its revenue from markets outside of China in 2013.
• In the Chinese market, Huawei achieved CNY84 billion in sales revenues, up 14.2% year-on-year.
• Huawei invested CNY30.7 billion (~5.06 USD billion) into R&D, which is about 12.8% of its sales revenue. 
• 150,000 employees

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