Prof. Krishna Rupavatharam from Montana State University’s QCORE division has demonstrated the first campus‑scale quantum entanglement network in the Midwest, deploying Qunnect’s Carina product suite to generate atom‑based entangled‑photon pairs at telecom wavelengths over fibre spans of up to 100 km. The Carina system integrates high‑rate entangled‑pair generators, single‑photon counting detectors with sub‑GHz linewidth photon pairs and high‑resolution time‑tagging, together with adaptive polarization compensation that maintains fidelity across changing environmental conditions. Qunnect’s CEO, Noel Goddard, highlighted that the deployment marks a pivotal step in moving practical quantum networks from laboratory prototypes to real‑world research deployments, positioning Montana State University as a leading hub for quantum innovation.
Montana State University Deploys Qunnect Carina to Create First Quantum Entanglement Network in the Midwest
On 9 September 2025, Montana State University (MSU) installed Qunnect Inc.’s Carina rack‑mounted system on its Bozeman campus, establishing the first quantum entanglement network in the Midwestern United States. The deployment follows a year‑long collaboration that explored a range of quantum networking use cases and utilises the university’s existing campus‑scale telecommunications fibre to link its quantum‑computing facilities with precision‑sensing laboratories.
Carina’s Integrated Quantum‑Photonic Architecture
Carina combines an atom‑based entangled‑photon generator that emits sub‑gigahertz‑linewidth, high‑brightness photon pairs at telecom wavelengths, high‑resolution single‑photon counting detectors, and an adaptive polarisation‑compensation module that stabilises entanglement fidelity in real time. The system can distribute entangled photons over fibre spans of up to 100 km and features a modular interface that allows it to coexist with dense wavelength‑division multiplexing (DWDM) networks and classical data channels on the same fibre.
Expanding Applications Beyond Cryptography
With entanglement distribution now coupled to on‑campus quantum processors and precision‑sensing devices, the network will support demonstrations of distributed quantum computing, high‑precision timekeeping and other protocols that extend beyond conventional quantum key distribution.
Strategic Impact for MSU and Montana
The Carina‑based network positions MSU to attract research grants, forge high‑tech industry alliances and draw top scientific talent to Bozeman, thereby stimulating economic growth in Montana. Qunnect CEO Noel Goddard said the deployment “is the next step in moving practical quantum networks out of the lab and into real‑world research deployments,” a goal that aligns with the launch of MSU’s QCORE initiative, which collaborates with national laboratories and industry partners to accelerate quantum applications.
Qunnect’s Global Presence and Future Deployments
Qunnect, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, has underpinned the GothamQ network in New York City and the Bearlinq network in Berlin, where it set new records for entanglement distance in 2024. The company is backed by venture capital from Cisco Investments, Airbus Ventures and Quantonation, and plans a new deployment in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to extend its quantum infrastructure across the United States.
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