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Key Points
Florida State University will build a campus-scale quantum communication testbed with $2.1 million in federal Community Project Funding through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida’s 11th Congressional District supported the funding request in Congress.
The testbed will link a central hub in FSU’s Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building with receiver nodes at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida.
Researchers will use entangled photons and reconfigurable optical links to test how quantum communication systems hold up under air turbulence, high magnetic fields and cryogenic thermal cycling.
The goal is to move quantum communication from controlled lab demonstrations toward reliable, secure networks that work in real-world conditions.
Florida State University will establish a campus-scale quantum communication testing platform with $2.1 million in federal Community Project Funding through the National Institute of Standards and Technology, secured with support from U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster of Florida’s 11th Congressional District.
The testbed will link a central quantum communication hub in FSU’s Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building (IRCB) with receiver nodes at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab). Researchers will study how quantum communication hardware and optical links perform under challenging conditions, including strong air turbulence, high magnetic fields and cryogenic thermal cycling.
What is quantum communication, and why does it need real-world testing?
Quantum communication uses the quantum properties of light, including entanglement, to transmit and protect information in ways fundamentally different from those of conventional networks. A major challenge is moving quantum communication from carefully controlled laboratory demonstrations to reliable systems that can operate in real-world conditions.
“Florida State University leads the nation in quantum science and engineering,” said Rep. Webster. “I fought for this investment in Congress as it will help establish the first quantum communications testbed facility in the southeastern United States. These resources will help expand their important work and strengthen American innovation. Advancements in quantum technology are critical to our national security and will help ensure the United States remains a leader in these emerging technologies as we counter adversaries like China.”
How will FSU’s quantum communication testbed work?
The testbed will connect the hub to the nodes through campus fiber resources. It will generate and distribute entangled photons and monitor measures such as link reliability, allowing researchers to improve system performance. The system will also include reconfigurable optical links, enabling researchers to deliberately expose components and communication channels to controlled environmental stresses.
“The next frontier is not simply demonstrating quantum communication in an ideal laboratory, but understanding how to make these systems reliable in the environments where they will ultimately operate,” said Suvranu De, dean of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “This investment gives us a platform to connect fundamental quantum science with engineering validation, workforce development and future partnerships with government, industry and other universities. It is an important step toward secure and resilient quantum networks that can operate in the real world.”
How is FSU expanding its quantum research?
The project continues FSU’s commitment to advancing research in quantum science and engineering. Since launching the FSU Quantum Initiative in 2023, the university has hired 10 new faculty members to reach a total of 45 faculty members researching quantum topics, developed Florida’s first graduate credential in quantum information science and engineering, hosted the inaugural Florida Quantum Conference and joined with other universities around the state to establish the Florida Alliance for Quantum Technology.
In July, the U.S. Department of Energy chose FSU to lead four major projects as part of the Genesis Mission, including a project to develop AI that acts as a real-time diagnostic system for quantum computers and another to improve scientists’ understanding of atomic nuclei and other quantum systems.
What will students gain from the quantum testbed?
“This is an important research infrastructure investment that can support future quantum-networking activities and position FSU for larger-scale opportunities,” said Wei Guo, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, head of the MagLab’s cryogenics lab and co-director of the FSU Quantum Initiative. “Just as importantly, it will give students and researchers hands-on experience across the full quantum-networking stack, from photons and detectors to controls, data, networks and demanding operating environments.”
For more information about ongoing quantum research at Florida State, visit the FSU Quantum Initiative website.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited with a custom prompt for Claude Opus 5.5, an AI assistant created by Anthropic. The AI optimized the article for SEO/GEO discoverability, improved clarity, structure and readability while preserving the original reporting and factual content. All information and viewpoints remain those of the author and publication. This article was edited and fact-checked by college staff before being published. This disclosure is part of our commitment to transparency in our editorial process. Last edited: Sept. 28, 2026.
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FAQ
It is a campus-scale platform at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, for testing quantum communication hardware and optical links outside ideal lab conditions. It connects a central hub in FSU’s Interdisciplinary Research and Commercialization Building with receiver nodes at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
The testbed is funded by $2.1 million in federal Community Project Funding through the National Institute of Standards and Technology. U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster, who represents Florida’s 11th Congressional District, supported the investment in Congress.
Quantum communication uses the quantum properties of light, including entanglement, to transmit and protect information. It works in ways fundamentally different from conventional communication networks. A central challenge in the field is making these systems reliable outside carefully controlled laboratory settings.
Researchers at Florida State University will test how quantum communication components perform under strong air turbulence, high magnetic fields and cryogenic thermal cycling. Reconfigurable optical links allow them to expose components and communication channels to these stresses in a controlled manner.
The FSU testbed generates entangled photons and distributes them across campus fiber to receiver nodes. Researchers monitor metrics such as link reliability to improve system performance, drawing on quantum-optical hardware ranging from photons and detectors to controls and data.
Since launching the FSU Quantum Initiative in 2023, Florida State University reports 45 faculty members researching quantum topics, including 10 new hires. FSU also created Florida’s first graduate credential in quantum information science and engineering, hosted the inaugural Florida Quantum Conference and helped establish the Florida Alliance for Quantum Technology.