Giuseppe Vallone

Giuseppe Vallone is a Full Professor at the Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, where he has served since February 2024. Previously, he was an Associate Professor (May 2019-January 2024) and Assistant Professor (May 2011-April 2019) at the same institution. His career spans quantum optics, quantum communication, and quantum information, with a focus on practical implementations of quantum technologies.

Born in 1979 in Vico Equense (Naples), Vallone earned his Master's degree in Physics from the University of Torino in 2002 with top honors ("110/110 lode e menzione"). He completed his Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics at the University of Torino in 2006, with a thesis on String Theory titled "Nonperturbative aspects of gauge theory from strings" under the supervision of Professor A. Lerda. During his Ph.D., he was awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship, which allowed him to conduct research at the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (NORDITA) in Copenhagen for 11 months.

Vallone's research focuses on quantum optics, quantum communication and information, and quantum key distribution. His work has advanced the experimental implementation of Quantum Random Number Generators and Quantum Key Distribution protocols, particularly for earth-satellite communication. He leads the Quantum Communications group (also known as QuantumFuture) at the University of Padova, which has developed expertise in practical quantum communication systems. His team has made significant contributions to time-bin encoding, device-independent protocols, and space-based quantum communication.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward practical quantum communication systems, with emphasis on satellite-based quantum networks, integrated photonics for quantum applications, and field demonstrations of quantum key distribution. His work bridges fundamental quantum physics with real-world applications, particularly in secure communication. Recent projects include high-speed quantum random number generators, intermodal quantum key distribution systems that work across different communication channels, and experiments combining quantum mechanics with general relativity.

• 2008: "Vito Volterra prize for young master student graduated in Physics after May 2001" from Societa Italiana di Fisica (S.I.F.)
• 2003-04: "Marie Curie training site" fellowship at NORDITA institute (Copenhagen)
• 2003: "OPTIME 2002/03 prize" from Industrial Association of Torino
• 2003: "Best master thesis of each course (a.y. 2001/02)" from University of Torino

Vallone has secured significant research funding as principal investigator, coordinating multiple European projects including QUDICE (Horizon-EU, 2023-2024), QUANGO (EU-H2020, 2021-2023), and QUASAR (CARIPARO, 2020-2023). He has also served as principal investigator for projects funded by ESA, EU-QUANTERA, and ASI. His research group, QuantumFuture, has conducted field trials of quantum key distribution in Padua's metropolitan area and has developed integrated photonic solutions for quantum communication. Current work focuses on satellite quantum communication, quantum-secured time transfer, and the intersection of quantum mechanics with general relativity.

The QuantumFuture research group at Padova, led by Vallone, specializes in practical quantum communication systems. They have developed expertise in experimental implementations of Quantum Random Number Generators and Quantum Key Distribution protocols, with particular emphasis on earth-satellite communication. The group has successfully demonstrated quantum communication over classical network infrastructure in Padua and has made significant progress on integrated photonic solutions for quantum technologies. Their research spans from fundamental quantum physics to deployable quantum communication systems.