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The QTF-Backbone: Proposal for a Nationwide Optical Fibre Backbone in Germany for Quantum Technology and Time and Frequency Metrology
arXiv
Authors: Tara Cubel Liebisch, Peter Kaufmann, Harald Schnatz, Susanne Naegele-Jackson, Jochen Kronj\"ager, Klaus Blaum, Stefan K\"uck, Dieter Meschede, Stephan Schiller, Laura Agazzi, Soroosh Alighanbari, Joachim Ankerhold, Georgy V. Astakhov, Stefanie Barz, Ingo Baumann, Rainer Baumgart, Christoph Becher, Hendrik Bekker, Oliver Benson, Paolo Bianco, Ronald Bieber, Immanuel Bloch, Ulrike Blumr\"oder, Rainer Bockholt, Johannes Bouman, Claus Braxmaier, Enrico Brehm, Dagmar Bruss, Dmitry Budker, Hans-Joachim Bungartz, Erik Busley, Jos\'e R. Crespo L\'opez-Urrutia, Cornelia Denz, Christian Deppe, Guido Dietl, Fei Ding, Thomas Eickermann, Florian Elsen, Wolfgang Ertmer, Stefan Filipp, Marc Fischer, Jakob Flury, Thomas Fr\"ohlich, Johann Furthner, Ilia Gerhardt, Kay Uwe Giering, Christoph Glingener, Helmut Grie{\ss}er, R\"udiger Grimm, Christian Grimm, Andreas Gritsch, Fritz Hack, Theodor H\"ansch, Thomas Halfmann, Andreas Hanemann, Daniel Harlacher, Niklas Hegemann, Tobias Heindel, Robert Heinkelmann, Luis Hellmich, Thomas Hildmann, David Hock, Sven H\"ofling, Bruno H\"oft, Harald Hofmann, Peter Holleczek, Ronald Holzwarth, Wolfgang Hommel, Thomas H\"uhn, Urs Hugentobler, David Hunger, Nils Huntemann, Cigdem Issever, Fedor Jelezko, Klaus J\"ons, Tim Johann, Philippe Jousset, Bernd Jungbluth, Franz K\"artner, Jonas Kankel, Heike Kaufmann, Dmitry Khabi, Thomas Kissinger, Carsten Klempt, Thomas Kl\"ugel, Ann-Kathrin Kniggendorf, Jan Kodet, Uwe Konrad, Joachim Kopp, Michael Kramer, Stefan Kremling, Michael Krist, Markus Krutzik, Sascha Kwasniok, Yvonne Leifels, Gerd Leuchs, Christian Lisdat, Yuri Litvinov, Manfred Lochter, Peter van Loock, Paul L\"usse, Eberhard Manske, Tanja Mehlst\"aubler, Peter Michler, Peter Micke, Martin Migura, J\"urgen M\"uller, Wilfried N\"ortersh\"auser, Stephan Pachnicke, Ralf Paffrath, Ekkehard Peik, Wolfgang Pempe, Achim Peters, Thomas Pfeifer, Dirk Piester, Randolf Pohl, Ernst Maria Rasel, Helmut Reiser, Andreas Reiserer, Manfred Rieck, Fritz Riehle, Stephan Ritter, Norbert Rogge, Esther Ruiz Ben, Lakshmi Priya Kozhiparambil Sajith, Laura Sanchez, Vera Sch\"afer, Wolfgang Schaefer, Nick Schieferdecker, Piet Schmidt, Roman Schnabel, Steffen Sch\"on, Ulli Schreiber, Carsten Schuck, Harald Schuh, Henrik Schulz, Julius Schulz- Zander, Ullrich Schwanke, Jean-Pierre Seifert, Klaus Sengstock, Kemal Shafak, Christine Silberhorn, Christian Smorra, Nicolas Spethmann, Jonathan Steiert, Simon Stellmer, Uwe Sterr, Thomas St\"ohlker, J\"urgen Stuhler, Sven Sturm, Peter G. Thirolf, Christian Tobeck, Thomas Udem, Stefan Ulmer, Suren Vasilyan, Asha Vincent, Tobias Vogl, Raimund Vogl, Thomas Walther, Harald Weinfurter, Christian Weinheimer, Lars von der Wense, Arne Wickenbrock, Lisa W\"orner, Fabian Wolf, Steven Worm, Yang Yang, Matthias Zimmermann, Michael Zopf
Year
2026
Paper ID
74992
Status
Preprint
Abstract Read
~2 min
Abstract Words
204
Citations
N/A
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 Quantum 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.
Why This Paper Matters
- This paper contributes to the Quantum Networks research area in the Quantum Articles archive.
- It adds a 2026 reference point for readers tracking recent quantum research.
- 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...
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