QuIST

The Quantum Information Science and Technology Program (abbreviated as QUIST or QuIST) was a five-year, $100M DARPA research program that ran from FY 2001 – 2005.

[1][2] As a completed program, QuIST received an award from DARPA in 2008 for scientific breakthroughs previously conducted under its support.

[3] In 2004, QuIST-funded researchers demonstrated the DARPA Quantum Network, the first working quantum key distribution network.

At its start, it employed coherent laser pulses over optical fiber media, sending unconditionally-secure messages between Harvard University, Boston University and BBN Technologies in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

It later grew to a fully operational, 10 node network, conveying key material both through telecom fiber and the atmosphere.