Bruss, Dagmar; Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, GERMANY
Budker, Dmitry; Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, GERMANY; GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, GERMANY; University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, USA
Bungartz, Hans-Joachim; Technical University of Munich, Munich, GERMANY; Direktorium Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ), Garching, GERMANY
Busley, Erik; Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques Wachtberg, FhG-FHR, Wachtberg, GERMANY
Crespo López-Urrutia, José R.; Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, GERMANY
Denz, Cornelia; Präsidium, P, PTB-Braunschweig
Deppe, Christian; Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, GERMANY
Dietl, Guido; University of Würzburg, Würzburg, GERMANY
Ding, Fei; Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, GERMANY
Ertmer, Wolfgang; Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, GERMANY
Filipp, Stefan; Technical University of Munich, Munich, GERMANY; Walther-Meißner-Institut der Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Garching, GERMANY
Fischer, Marc; Menlo Systems GmbH, Martinsried, GERMANY
Flury, Jakob; Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, GERMANY
Fröhlich, Thomas; Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ilmenau, GERMANY
Furthner, Johann; German Aerospace Center, DLR, Oberpfaffenhofen, GERMANY
Gerhardt, Ilia; Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, GERMANY
Giering, Kay Uwe; Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits Erlangen, FhG-IIS, Erlangen, GERMANY
Glingener, Christoph; Adtran Networks SE, Meiningen, GERMANY
Krist, Michael; Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques Wachtberg, FhG-FHR, Wachtberg, GERMANY
Krutzik, Markus; Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, GERMANY; Ferdinand-Braun-Institute, Berlin, GERMANY
Kwasniok, Sascha; Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, GERMANY
Leifels, Yvonne; GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, GERMANY
Leuchs, Gerd; Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, GERMANY
Lisdat, Christian; 4.3, Quantenoptik und Längeneinheit, PTB-Braunschweig
Litvinov, Yuri; GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, GERMANY
Lochter, Manfred; Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik, BSI, Bonn, GERMANY
Loock, Peter van; Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, GERMANY
Lüsse, Paul; Nokia GmbH & Co. KG, München, GERMANY
Manske, Eberhard; Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ilmenau, GERMANY
Mehlstäubler, Tanja E.; QUEST, FG 2, Quantenuhren und komplexe Systeme, PTB-Braunschweig; Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, GERMANY
Michler, Peter; University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, GERMANY
Micke, Peter; GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, GERMANY; Helmholtz Institute Jena, Jena, GERMANY; Friedrich Schiller University Jena & Abbe Center of Photonics Jena, Jena, GERMANY
Migura, Martin; German National Research and Education Network, DFN, Berlin, GERMANY
Müller, Jürgen; Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, GERMANY
Nörtershäuser, Wilfried; GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, GERMANY; Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, GERMANY
Pachnicke, Stephan; Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, GERMANY
Paffrath, Ralf; German National Research and Education Network, DFN, Berlin, GERMANY
Peik, Ekkehard; 4.4, Zeit und Frequenz, PTB-Braunschweig
Pempe, Wolfgang; German National Research and Education Network, DFN, Berlin, GERMANY
Peters, Achim; Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, GERMANY
Pfeifer, Thomas; Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, GERMANY
Piester, Dirk; 4.4, Zeit und Frequenz, PTB-Braunschweig
Pohl, Randolf; Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, GERMANY
Rasel, Ernst Maria; Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, GERMANY
Reiser, Helmut; Leibniz Supercomputing Centre, LRZ, Garching, GERMANY
Reiserer, Andreas; Technical University of Munich, Munich, GERMANY
Rieck, Manfred; Deutsche Bahn AG, Berlin, GERMANY
Riehle, Fritz; 4, Optik, PTB-Braunschweig
Ritter, Stephan; TOPTICA Photonics SE, Munich, GERMANY
Rogge, Norbert; Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ilmenau, GERMANY
Ruiz Ben, Esther; German National Research and Education Network, DFN, Berlin, GERMANY
Sajith, Lakshmi Priya Kozhiparambil; Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, GERMANY; Deutsches Elektronen-Synchroton - DESY, Zeuthen, GERMANY
Sanchez, Laura; Technical University of Munich, Munich, GERMANY
Schäfer, Vera; Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, GERMANY
Steiert, Jonathan; Nokia GmbH & Co. KG, M¨unchen, GERMANY
Stellmer, Simon; University of Bonn, Bonn, GERMANY
Sterr, Uwe; 4.3, Quantenoptik und Längeneinheit, PTB-Braunschweig
Stöhlker, Thomas; GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, GERMANY; Helmholtz Institute Jena, Jena, GERMANY; Friedrich Schiller University Jena & Abbe Center of Photonics Jena, Jena, GERMANY
Stuhler, Jürgen; TOPTICA Photonics SE, Munich, GERMANY
Sturm, Sven; Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg, GERMANY
Thirolf, Peter G.; Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, GERMANY
Tobeck, Christian; NMWP.NRW, Düsseldorf, GERMANY
Udem, Thomas; Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, Garching, GERMANY
Ulmer, Stefan; Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, GERMANY
Vasilyan, Suren; Technische Universität Ilmenau, Ilmenau, GERMANY
Vincent, Asha; Leibniz Universität Hannover, Hannover, GERMANY
Vogl, Tobias; Technical University of Munich, Munich, GERMANY; Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST), Munich, GERMANY
Vogl, Raimund; University of Münster, Münster, GERMANY
Walther, Thomas; Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, GERMANY
Weinfurter, Harald; Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, GERMANY
Weinheimer, Christian; University of Münster, Münster, GERMANY
Wense, Lars von der; Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, GERMANY
Wickenbrock, Arne; Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, GERMANY; GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, GERMANY
Wörner, Lisa; German Aerospace Center, DLR , Hannover, GERMANY
Wolf, Fabian; QUEST Institute for Experimental Quantum Metrology, PTB-Braunschweig
Worm, Steven; Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, GERMANY; Deutsches Elektronen-Synchroton - DESY, Zeuthen, GERMANY
The recent breakthroughs in the distribution of quantum information and high-precision time and frequency (T&F) signals over long-haul optical fibre networks have transformative potential for physically secure communications, resilience of timing infrastructure (such as that supporting Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)) and fundamental physics. To date, these capabilities remain confined to isolated testbeds, with quantum and T&F signals accessible, for example in Germany, to only a few institutions. In this white paper we propose the QTF Backbone: a dedicated national fibre-optic infrastructure in Germany for the networked distribution of Quantum and T&F signals using dark fibres and specialised hardware. The QTF Backbone is planned as a four-phase deployment over ten years to ensure scalable, sustainable access for research institutions and industry. The concept builds on successful demonstrations of time and frequency distribution at high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) across Europe, including PTB–MPQ links in Germany, REFIMEVE in France, and the Italian LIFT network. The QTF Backbone will enable transformative Research and Development (R&D), support a nationwide QTF ecosystem, and ensure the transition from innovation to deployment. As a national and European hub, it will position Germany and Europe at the forefront of quantum networking, as well as T&F transfer.
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Liebisch, T. C., Kaufmann, P., Schnatz, H., Naegele-Jackson, S., Kronjäger, J., Blaum, K., Kück, S., Meschede, D., Schiller, S., Agazzi, L., Alighanbari, S., Ankerhold, J., Astakhov, G. V., Barz, S., Baumann, I., Baumgart, R., Becher, C., Bekker, H., Benson, O., Bianco, P., Bieber, R., Bloch, I., Blumröder, U., Bockholt, R., Bouman, J., Braxmaier, C., Brehm, E., Bruss, D., Budker, D., Bungartz, H.-J., Busley, E., Crespo López-Urrutia, J. R., Denz, C., Deppe, C., Dietl, G., Ding, F., Eickermann, T., Elsen, F., Ertmer, W., Filipp, S., Fischer, M., Flury, J., Fröhlich, T., Furthner, J., Gerhardt, I., Giering, K. U., Glingener, C., Grießer, H., Grimm, R., Grimm, C., Gritsch, A., Hack, F., Hänsch, T., Halfmann, T., Hanemann, A., Harlacher, D., Hegemann, N., Heindel, T., Heinkelmann, R., Hellmich, L., Hildmann, T., Hock, D., Höfling, S., Höft, B., Hofmann, H., Holleczek, P., Holzwarth, R., Hommel, W., Hühn, T., Hugentobler, U., Hunger, D., Huntemann, N., Issever, C., Jelezko, F., Jöns, K., Johann, T., Jousset, P., Jungbluth, B., Kärtner, F., Kankel, J., Kaufmann, H., Khabi, D., Kissinger, T., Klempt, C., Klügel, T., Kniggendorf, A.-K., Kodet, J., Konrad, U., Kopp, J., Kramer, M., Kremling, S., Krist, M., Krutzik, M., Kwasniok, S., Leifels, Y., Leuchs, G., Lisdat, C., Litvinov, Y., Lochter, M., Loock, P. V., Lüsse, P., Manske, E., Mehlstäubler, T. E., Michler, P., Micke, P., Migura, M., Müller, J., Nörtershäuser, W., Pachnicke, S., Paffrath, R., Peik, E., Pempe, W., Peters, A., Pfeifer, T., Piester, D., Pohl, R., Rasel, E. M., Reiser, H., Reiserer, A., Rieck, M., Riehle, F., Ritter, S., Rogge, N., Ruiz Ben, E., Sajith, L. P. K., Sanchez, L., Schäfer, V., Schaefer, W., Schieferdecker, N., Schmidt, P. O., Schnabel, R., Schön, S., Schreiber, U., Schuck, C., Schuh, H., Schulz, H., Schulz-Zander, J., Schwanke, U., Seifert, J.-P., Sengstock, K., Shafak, K., Silberhorn, C., Smorra, C., Spethmann, N., Steiert, J., Stellmer, S., Sterr, U., Stöhlker, T., Stuhler, J., Sturm, S., Thirolf, P. G., Tobeck, C., Udem, T., Ulmer, S., Vasilyan, S., Vincent, A., Vogl, T., Vogl, R., Walther, T., Weinfurter, H., Weinheimer, C., Wense, L. V. D., Wickenbrock, A., Wörner, L., Wolf, F., Worm, S., Yang, Y., Zimmermann, M., & Zopf, M. (2026). The QTF Backbone: proposal for a nationwide optical fibre backbone in Germany for quantum technology and time and frequency metrology. European Physical Journal: Special Topics, 235, 3353–3387. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02451-3
