Prof. Christopher Chao (centre), Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. Ai-Qun Liu (left), Director of the RIQT, Chair Professor of Quantum Engineering and Science at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Hong Kong Global STEM Scholar; and Prof. Alan Lau Pak-tao (right), Associate Dean (College of Undergraduate Studies) and Professor at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering—all from PolyU—showcased the PolyU Quantum Chip.
Prof. Christopher Chao said PolyU would continue to translate research outcomes into real-world applications with global impact.
Prof. Ai-Qun Liu elaborated that his research team has successfully completed Hong Kong’s first chip-based quantum network and its test.
Prof. Alan Lau Pak-tao said that PolyU would continue to work closely with industry to drive scientific research.
The PolyU Quantum Chip offers four major advantages: high speed, high stability, low cost, and superior scalability for mass production.
The quantum chip operates at a clock rate of 1.25 GHz, generating and transmitting high-quality quantum-encoded signals with remarkable stability. This enables secure key generation at a rate of 45.73 kbps, facilitating reliable encrypted optical fibre communications over distances exceeding 100 kilometres. Moreover, the system dynamically adapts to environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations and vibrations, maintaining stable connections and paving the way for commercial deployment.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, commented, “The rapid progress of quantum technology has prompted financial centres worldwide to proactively explore solutions to mitigate cybersecurity risks in the quantum era. As Asia’s leading international financial centre, Hong Kong must anticipate the threat posed by quantum computing and prepare ahead of time. This milestone not only addresses a strategic priority of the 15th Five-Year Plan but also aligns with the key initiative of Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, which prioritises advanced manufacturing and microelectronics. This quantum chip presents an excellent opportunity for our innovative ecosystem to leverage its capabilities. As a leading research university, PolyU will continue to translate research outcomes into impactful applications, driving Hong Kong’s development as a global innovation and technology hub.”
Prof. Liu emphasised, “PolyU has pioneered a new generation of quantum chips suitable for massive rollout. Unlike solutions assembled with discrete and bulk optical devices, our innovative approach offers four major advantages: high speed, high stability, low cost and superior scalability for mass production. This compact, lightweight, plug-and-play equipment is essential for building high performance and scalable quantum communication networks. In addition, its compatibility with existing network systems will enable financial institutions and government sectors to smoothly transition their systems, responding to emerging cybersecurity threats amplified by advancements in computing power.”
The PolyU research team has successfully completed a test on an optical fibre network of approximately 55 kilometres, connecting four nodes across Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories.
The quantum chip operates at a clock rate of 1.25 GHz, generating and transmitting high-quality quantum-encoded signals with remarkable stability. This enables secure key generation at a rate of 45.73 kbps, facilitating reliable encrypted optical fibre communications over distances exceeding 100 kilometres. Moreover, the system dynamically adapts to environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations and vibrations, maintaining stable connections and paving the way for commercial deployment.
Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, commented, “The rapid progress of quantum technology has prompted financial centres worldwide to proactively explore solutions to mitigate cybersecurity risks in the quantum era. As Asia’s leading international financial centre, Hong Kong must anticipate the threat posed by quantum computing and prepare ahead of time. This milestone not only addresses a strategic priority of the 15th Five-Year Plan but also aligns with the key initiative of Hong Kong’s Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint, which prioritises advanced manufacturing and microelectronics. This quantum chip presents an excellent opportunity for our innovative ecosystem to leverage its capabilities. As a leading research university, PolyU will continue to translate research outcomes into impactful applications, driving Hong Kong’s development as a global innovation and technology hub.”
Prof. Liu emphasised, “PolyU has pioneered a new generation of quantum chips suitable for massive rollout. Unlike solutions assembled with discrete and bulk optical devices, our innovative approach offers four major advantages: high speed, high stability, low cost and superior scalability for mass production. This compact, lightweight, plug-and-play equipment is essential for building high performance and scalable quantum communication networks. In addition, its compatibility with existing network systems will enable financial institutions and government sectors to smoothly transition their systems, responding to emerging cybersecurity threats amplified by advancements in computing power.”
Prof. Ai-Qun Liu (centre) with his research team at the PolyU Research Institute for Quantum Technology.
He reiterated that RIQT will continue to refine and test the multipoint transmission technology at scale, leveraging existing network infrastructure. This will pave the way for the widespread adoption of quantum communication across various scenarios, encompassing multiple industries. Ultimately, Hong Kong can seamlessly transition to the next generation of smart quantum networks, supported by a comprehensive and secure environment.
