Quantum Network Infrastructure Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.1866 | Sponsor: Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. (R-NY)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Quantum Network Infrastructure Act of 2021
This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a research, development, and demonstration program to accelerate innovation in quantum network infrastructure in order to (1) facilitate the advancement of distributed quantum computing systems through the internet and intranet, (2) improve the precision of measurements of scientific phenomena and physical imaging technologies, and (3) develop secure national quantum communications technologies and strategies.
DOE shall submit to Congress a four-year research plan that identifies and prioritizes basic research needs relating to quantum network infrastructure.

To establish and support a quantum network infrastructure research and 
    development program at the Department of Energy, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Quantum Network Infrastructure Act 
of 2021''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 2 of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8801) 
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
            ``(7) Quantum network infrastructure.--The term `quantum 
        network infrastructure' means any facility, expertise, or 
        capability that is necessary to enable the development and 
        deployment of scalable and diverse quantum network 
        technologies.''.

SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH 
              AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    Title IV of the National Quantum Initiative Act (15 U.S.C. 8851 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 403. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY QUANTUM NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE 
              RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy (referred to in this 
section as the `Secretary') shall carry out a research, development, 
and demonstration program to accelerate innovation in quantum network 
infrastructure in order to--
            ``(1) facilitate the advancement of distributed quantum 
        computing systems through the internet and intranet;
            ``(2) improve the precision of measurements of scientific 
        phenomena and physical imaging technologies; and
            ``(3) develop secure national quantum communications 
        technologies and strategies.
    ``(b) Program.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) coordinate with--
                    ``(A) the Director of the National Science 
                Foundation;
                    ``(B) the Director of the National Institute of 
                Standards and Technology;
                    ``(C) the Chair of the subcommittee on Quantum 
                Information Science of the National Science and 
                Technology Council established under section 103(a); 
                and
                    ``(D) the Chair of the subcommittee on the Economic 
                and Security Implications of Quantum Science;
            ``(2) conduct cooperative research with industry, National 
        Laboratories, institutions of higher education, and other 
        research institutions to facilitate new quantum infrastructure 
        methods and technologies, including--
                    ``(A) quantum-limited detectors, ultra-low loss 
                optical channels, space-to-ground connections, and 
                classical networking and cybersecurity protocols;
                    ``(B) entanglement and hyper-entangled state 
                sources and transmission, control, and measurement of 
                quantum states;
                    ``(C) quantum interconnects that allow short range 
                local connections between quantum processors;
                    ``(D) transducers for quantum sources and signals 
                between optical and telecommunications regimes and 
                quantum computer-relevant domains, including 
                microwaves;
                    ``(E) development of quantum memory buffers and 
                small-scale quantum computers that are compatible with 
                photon-based quantum bits in the optical or 
                telecommunications wavelengths;
                    ``(F) long-range entanglement distribution at both 
                the terrestrial and space-based level using quantum 
                repeaters, allowing entanglement-based protocols 
                between small- and large-scale quantum processors;
                    ``(G) quantum routers, multiplexers, repeaters, and 
                related technologies necessary to create secure long-
                distance quantum communication; and
                    ``(H) integration of systems across the quantum 
                technology stack into traditional computing networks, 
                including the development of remote controlled, high 
                performance, and reliable implementations of key 
                quantum network components;
            ``(3) engage with the Quantum Economic Development 
        Consortium (QED-C) to transition component technologies to help 
        facilitate as appropriate the development of a quantum supply 
        chain for quantum network technologies;
            ``(4) advance basic research in advanced scientific 
        computing and material science to enhance the understanding, 
        prediction, and manipulation of materials and processes 
        relevant to quantum network infrastructure;
            ``(5) develop experimental tools and testbeds necessary to 
        support cross-cutting fundamental research and development 
        activities with diverse stakeholders from industry and 
        institutions of higher education; and
            ``(6) consider quantum network infrastructure applications 
        that span the Department of Energy's missions in energy, 
        environment, and national security.
    ``(c) Leveraging.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary 
shall leverage resources, infrastructure, and expertise across the 
Department of Energy and from--
            ``(1) the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
            ``(2) the National Science Foundation;
            ``(3) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
            ``(4) other relevant Federal agencies;
            ``(5) the National Laboratories;
            ``(6) industry stakeholders;
            ``(7) institutions of higher education; and
            ``(8) the National Quantum Information Science Research 
        Centers.
    ``(d) Research Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of the Quantum Network Infrastructure Act of 2021, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate, a 4-year research plan that 
identifies and prioritizes basic research needs relating to quantum 
network infrastructure.
    ``(e) Standard of Review.--The Secretary shall review activities 
carried out under this section to determine the achievement of 
technical milestones.
    ``(f) Funding.--Funds authorized to be appropriated for the 
Department of Energy's Office of Science, there shall be made available 
to the Secretary to carry out the activities under this section, 
$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.''.
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