Summary of the project: During the 20th century, the development of information technologies had a huge impact not only on science but also on society as a whole. This unprecedented revolution revealed a need to improve the speed and efficiency of data processing, as well as to strive for better security and privacy. One ultimate limitation of current information processing models is that they assume a simplified representation of physics, relying on classical mechanics. Quantum information technologies promise to break this barrier by achieving the highest security and efficiency allowed by the laws of physics, hence leading to a new revolution in information technologies, in the form of a large-scale network of classical and quantum computing devices able to communicate and process massive amounts of data both efficiently and securely using quantum resources. Despite steady experimental progress, we are still far from this long-term vision, not only due to technological limitations but also to the still-narrow range of applications of current quantum algorithms. The vision of this project is to combine research on the fundamentals of quantum algorithms with the development of new applications targeted at areas of extreme practical importance and timeliness such as big data and machine learning. The project will complement ongoing experimental efforts in quantum technologies by providing new software tools in order to help lead to a revolution in information technologies, harnessing the power of quantum resources to go well beyond today’s capabilities, while maintaining a secure digital society. Relevance to the topic addressed in the call: The QuantAlgo project directly addresses several target outcomes explicitly mentioned in the call. First, in the field of quantum computation, the main general objective of the project is the development of novel quantum algorithms (WP1) and the demonstration of quantum speed-ups for various applications, including big data (WP2) and machine learning (WP3). Second, in the field of quantum communication, the project will study the efficiency, robustness and security in quantum communication, as well as novel protocols for multipartite quantum communication (WP4). Finally, at the edge between quantum communication and quantum computation, the project will also study interfaces between quantum computers and communication systems (WP1-4).

Summary The "Atomic Quantum Clock" is a milestone of the European Quantum Technologies Timeline. Q-Clocks seeks to establish a new frontier in the quantum measurement of time by joining state-of-the-art optical lattice clocks and the quantized electromagnetic field provided by an optical cavity. The goal of the project is to apply advanced quantum techniques to state-of-the-art optical lattice clocks, demonstrating enhanced sensitivity while preserving long coherence times and the highest accuracy. A three-fold atom-cavity system approach will be employed: the dispersive quantum non-demolition (QND) system in the weak coupling regime, the QND system in the strong collective coupling regime, and the quantum enhancement of narrow-linewidth laser light generation towards a continuous active optical frequency standard. Cross-fertilization of such approaches will be granted by parallel theoretical investigations on the available and brand-new quantum protocols, providing cavity-assisted readout phase amplification, adaptive entanglement and squeezed state preparation protocols. Novel ideas on quantum state engineering of the clock states inside the optical lattice will be exploited to test possible quantum information and communication applications. By pushing the performance of optical atomic clocks toward the Heisenberg limit, Q-Clocks is expected to substantially enhance all utilizations of high precision atomic clocks, including tests of fundamental physics (test of the theory of relativity, physics beyond the standard model, variation of fundamental constants, search for dark matter) and applied physics (relativistic geophysics, chrono geodetic leveling, precision geodesy and time tagging in coherent high speed optical communication). Finally, active optical atomic clocks would have a potential to join large scale laser interferometers in gravitational waves detection. Relevance Q-Clocks will provide a major advance in the area of "Quantum metrology sensing and imaging", in particular by “the use of quantum properties”, such as multi-particle entanglement, quantum state engineering and quantum non-demolition measurement, “to enhance the precision and sensitivity of time and frequency standards”. In atomic clocks, like all atom sensors, the information is encoded in the quantum wave function of atoms: the quantum protocols developed and experimented in this project aim at “developing detection schemes that are optimised with respect to extracting relevant information from physical systems” in order to reduce the inherent quantum noise associated with this extraction. With Q-clocks we pursue an important technological development that will extend sensing to new targets and applications, including Earth mass flow (better weather forecast), underground composition (mineral survey), surveying the Earth’s interior (models for earthquakes), chrono geodetic leveling (better models of the geoid) and time tagging in coherent high speed optical communication, with important spin-offs such as generation of ultra-stable microwave sources with numerous applications in advanced electronics.

GreenStorm targets nature-based solutions designed to manage stormwater (NBSsw) as a means of urban transition, with a specific focus on climate adaptation, resilience of urban vegetation, but also enhanced social benefits. The hydrologic and thermal performance of NBSsw during present and future climate extremes (high intensity rainfall, drought, heat waves, frost/thaw) will be assessed for a range of NBSsw structures and a wide span of European climates, by coupled monitoring / modeling. Improved NBSsw structures, and pathways for their acceptable implementation in urban areas will be developed based on cocreation workshops with all relevant stakeholders (professionals and citizens). A real case study in Copenhagen will serve to demonstrate NBS implementation in a community engaged approach and, based on a cross analysis with data and feedback from Paris, Athens, Genoa and Östersund, allow to identify drivers for NBSsw upscaling. Based on these results, potentials for widespread implementation of NBSsw at urban catchment scale will be analysed in the 5 partner countries (France, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Italy) and the hydrologic/hydraulic and thermal benefits modelled.