Opportunities for U.S.-China scientific collaboration in building a bilateral quantum network

Abstract

From advancements in time transfer to networked science, quantum networks can enable a new host of experiments that would not otherwise be achievable. We can learn a lot about building such a network to connect quantum resources globally through international cooperation. Toward this end, we argue that the countries best equipped to forge the path for building a global quantum network are the two largest countries spearheading research in the field: the U.S. and China. An analysis of each country's innovation landscape tells us that their primary interest in quantum technology is motivated by the desire to modernize their military. Both countries may be apprehensive to collaborate because the perceived security risks of a knowledge exchange far outweigh the benefits they would receive in accelerating innovation. Any proposal for a joint project is mired in the urgent geopolitical crisis that is U.S.-China relations. As escalatory retaliation, the U.S. has adopted a policy of innovation isolationism since ²0¹9 in an effort to minimize scientific and technological exchanges between the two countries. We argue that the U.S. security framework needs a paradigm shift because the country cannot address several major vulnerabilities in its current security posture without building bilateral stability with China. To support this claim, we describe how a lack of bilateral stability could create unnecessary escalation in cyberspace and hinder each country's ability to solve global security issues such as climate change. Drawing upon the historical analogy of U.S.-U.S.S.R. cooperation in space exploration during the Cold War, we propose a framework for a joint quantum project that can achieve U.S. scientific and diplomatic goals alike. Finally, we present experimental work being done at MIT Lincoln Laboratory to better understand some of the technical challenges associated with building a bilateral quantum link.