Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) and Congressman Bill Foster (D, IL-11), Co-Chairs of the National Labs Caucus, introduced the Quantum Network Infrastructure Act of 2020.
The creation of an expansive quantum network would allow quantum computers to communicate faster, more reliably and more securely across longer distances. However, the establishment of a large quantum network relies on the quantum network infrastructure needed to support it. This bipartisan legislation establishes a national research and development program for the advancement of this quantum network infrastructure, accelerating the widespread implementation of quantum technology.
“Quantum technology enables us to store significantly more information, faster, more securely and more efficiently, improving our lives and nation with everything from healthcare to national security to the financial sector,” said Congressman Zeldin. “Thanks to investments in our nation’s best and brightest scientists, we’re now closer than ever to a large scale implementation of this technology, and we’re not slowing down now! This bipartisan legislation continues to invest in the implementation of this revolutionary technology, including right here at Brookhaven National Lab.”
Brookhaven National Lab in Upton, New York, and Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York are leading in the field of quantum computing and have established an 80 mile quantum network testbed.
In addition to this legislation, last month, Brookhaven National Lab was awarded $115 million in federal funding for the establishment of a new quantum information science (QIS) research institute, which will focus on a range of key QIS research topics, including quantum networking, sensing, computing, and materials manufacturing.
