Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH

Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH, trading as qtlabs, is an Austrian small and medium-sized enterprise based in Vienna that specialises in optical and quantum communications. Founded in 2017, the company describes itself as building quantum communication systems intended to secure the world's most critical infrastructures on Earth and in space. Its stated mission is to enable quantum key distribution (QKD) from space, removing distance limitations and making global quantum-secure communication a reality. The company's product range spans single components for optical communication as well as integrated, fully fledged systems for quantum key distribution. Its hardware catalogue includes quantum sources (entanglement-based EPS and faint-pulse FPS), quantum receivers with polarization and phase encoding, horizontal free-space links, optical ground stations (OGS) for classical and quantum communications from LEO to GEO orbits, adaptive optics for turbulence mitigation and single-mode fibre coupling, and C-band laser optical communications for terrestrial and satellite links. Beyond hardware, qtlabs offers consulting services to help organisations migrate to QKD and integrate it with existing cybersecurity frameworks, software solutions that simulate satellite-based QKD missions and optimise performance before deployment, and training and scholarship programmes in quantum information. qtlabs traces its heritage to more than 20 years of pioneering experience in free-space and satellite-based quantum communications, including contributions to Nobel Prize-winning research. Its team's track record includes a record-breaking 143 km quantum communication link between La Palma and Tenerife, quantum teleportation over 143 kilometres using active feed-forward, and what it describes as the first-ever QKD downlink from an orbiting satellite in Europe. The company's solutions have been deployed in high-profile initiatives such as ESA's QKDSat and SAGA missions, and it has delivered fully accepted optical ground stations for QKDSat while developing EAGLE-1-compliant OGS systems. qtlabs is led by CEOs Rupert Ursin and Thomas Scheidl and has grown to a team of more than 50 highly trained professionals. As a private Austrian GmbH, it operates primarily in the European space and quantum technology sector, positioning itself as a bridge between fundamental physics and operational deployment of secure optical communication systems.

Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH, known as qtlabs, was founded in 2017 as an Austrian SME based in Vienna, specialising in optical and quantum communications. The company was established by Rupert Ursin and Thomas Scheidl, who today serve as its CEOs. Its founding team brought with it roots in over 20 years of pioneering experience in free-space and satellite-based quantum communications, a legacy that includes significant contributions to Nobel Prize-winning research. That scientific heritage is reflected in a series of milestone achievements. The team successfully established a 143 km quantum communication link between La Palma and Tenerife, demonstrating long-distance optical quantum transmission, and performed quantum teleportation over 143 kilometres using active feed-forward. It also executed what it describes as the first-ever Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) downlink from an orbiting satellite in Europe, a feat it says remains unmatched by any other team. Building on this research background, qtlabs developed a commercial product range spanning single components for optical communication and integrated, fully fledged systems for quantum key distribution. Its hardware catalogue includes quantum sources (entanglement-based EPS and faint-pulse FPS), quantum receivers with polarization and phase encoding, horizontal free-space links, optical ground stations (OGS) for classical and quantum communications from LEO to GEO stationary orbits, adaptive optics for turbulence mitigation and single-mode fibre coupling, and C-band laser optical communications for terrestrial and satellite-based communication. Alongside hardware, the company offers consulting services to guide organisations migrating to QKD and integrating it with existing cybersecurity frameworks, software solutions for simulating satellite-based QKD missions and optimising performance before deployment, and training and scholarship programmes in quantum information. The company's solutions have been deployed in high-profile initiatives including ESA's QKDSat and SAGA missions. qtlabs has delivered fully accepted Optical Ground Stations (OGS) for QKDSat and is developing EAGLE-1-compliant OGS systems. It has also developed free-space quantum links for commercial clients. Its stated mission is to build quantum communication systems that secure the world's most critical infrastructures on Earth and in space, and by enabling QKD from space to remove distance limitations and make global quantum-secure communication a reality. By the time of its official website materials, qtlabs had grown to a team of more than 50 highly trained professionals. The company positions itself as a bridge between fundamental physics and operational deployment, building space-ready building blocks and ground-segment hardware, turning raw quantum data into trusted keys using efficient processing cores, and supporting partners with ground-station integration and engineering services with a clear path toward space standards and certification.

• 2017

  Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH (qtlabs) founded in Vienna, Austria.

• Record-breaking 143 km quantum communication link established between La Palma and Tenerife.

• Quantum teleportation over 143 kilometres using active feed-forward performed by qtlabs founders and core team.

• First-ever Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) downlink from an orbiting satellite in Europe executed.

• Delivery of fully accepted Optical Ground Stations (OGS) for ESA's QKDSat mission.

• EAGLE-1-compliant OGS systems in development.

A leading provider of optical and quantum communication systems for space, bridging fundamental physics and operational deployment, with a clear path toward space standards and certification.

• Quantum Sources (EPS / FPS)

  Faint-Pulse (BB84) and entanglement-based (BBM92) quantum sources, on their way to space qualification and readiness for launch.

• Quantum Receiver

  Polarization- and phase-encoding receivers, optionally combined in one device.

• Horizontal Free-Space-Links

  Free-space links built on the DNA of successful ground-breaking heritage experiments.

• Optical Ground Stations (OGS)

  OGS solutions built for classical and quantum communications from LEO to GEO stationary orbits and beyond.

• Adaptive Optics (AO)

  State-of-the-art adaptive optics for turbulence mitigation and single-mode fibre coupling.

• Laser Optical Communications

  C-band laser communications system for terrestrial and satellite-based communication in receive and transmit.

• Consulting Services

  Guiding companies to migrate to Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and integrate securely with existing cybersecurity frameworks.

• Software Solutions

  Simulations of satellite-based QKD missions, modelling atmospheric turbulence to single-photon background noise, and performance optimisation before deployment.

• Training and Academy

  Training and scholarship programmes covering the essentials of quantum information.

1. 1Quantum Technology Laboratories • Vienna, Austriaqtlabs.at
2. 2Company • qtlabs • Vienna, Austriaqtlabs.at
3. 3Products • qtlabs • Vienna, Austriaqtlabs.at
4. 4Services • qtlabs • Vienna, Austriaqtlabs.at
5. 5Quantum Technology Laboratories GmbH — Wikidatawikidata.org