Robust encoder switches polarization 1 billion times a second; could facilitate global quantum encryption network
Researchers have developed a simple and stable device to generate the quantum states necessary for quantum key distribution. The device could make it more practical to develop a global data network that uses this very secure method of encryption to protect everything from credit card transactions to texts.
New encryption techniques are needed because computers powerful enough to crack today’s algorithm-based encryption codes will likely be available in the next decade or two. Rather than relying on math, quantum key distribution uses quantum properties of light such as polarization to encode and send a random key needed to decrypt encoded data. The method is exceptionally secure because any third-party intrusion is detectable.
In the Optical Society (OSA) journal Optics Letters, researchers from the University of Padova in Italy report that their all-fiber device can switch the polarization of light more than 1 billion times per second. The device is also self-compensating, making it insensitive to temperature and other environmental changes.
“Quantum key distribution is expected to have a deep impact in the privacy and security of citizens,” said Giuseppe Vallone, who led this research within the QuantumFuture research group coordinated by co-author Paolo Villoresi. “Our scheme simplifies quantum key distribution for free-space communication — such as from satellites to Earth or between moving terminals— which is required to achieve a global quantum network.”
Developing a global network
Because quantum encryption doesn’t work well over long-distance fiber networks there is now a push to develop a satellite-based quantum communication network to link various ground-based quantum encryption networks around the world.
Although various properties of light can be used to create quantum states for quantum encryption, polarization is particularly well suited for free-space links because it is not perturbed by the atmosphere and the decoding at the receiver can be performed without the challenging task of funneling the data into single mode fiber.
“Our goal is to develop a quantum encryption scheme to use between a satellite and the ground, where the keys are generated in orbit,” said Vallone. “However, today’s polarization encoders aren’t ideal for use in space because they are unstable, expensive and complex. They can even exhibit side-channels that undermine the security of the protocol.”
Fast and stable polarization encoding
The new polarization encoder — which the researchers call POGNAC for POlarization SaGNAC — can rapidly rotate the polarization of incoming laser light thanks to a fiber-loop Sagnac interferometer. This setup splits the light into two beams whose polarizations are at right angles relative to each other. The beams then travel through the fiber-loop in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The current components could fit into a package measuring 15 X 5 x 5 centimeters, with further miniaturization possible if smaller components were incorporated.
Inside the fiber loop, the researchers used a commercially available electro-optics modulator to change the polarization to create the quantum states necessary for quantum key distribution. Because the clockwise and anticlockwise components arrive to the modulator at different times, they can each be modulated independently.
Modulators use an applied voltage to change the optical phase. However, the absolute value of the phase shift depends on many parameters that change with time. “In the POGNAC, only the relative shift between the two polarization components is relevant – this relative phase shift corresponds to a change in output polarization – while shifts that arise from temperature changes and other factors are self-corrected,” said Vallone. “This makes the POGNAC very stable and eliminates polarization drifts that have affected other devices.”
The researchers tested their new device by measuring the polarization of quantum states generated by the POGNAC and comparing them with the expected values. They measured an intrinsic quantum bit error rate (QBER) as low as 0.2 %, well below the 1-2 percent QBER of typical quantum key distribution systems.
“Our results show that data can be encoded using the polarization of light in a simple and efficient way,” said Vallone. “We were able to accomplish this using only commercially available components.”
The researchers are continuing to improve on their approach and plan to perform further tests to see how the POGNAC performs when encoding quantum keys for encryption.
Learn more: New All-Fiber Device Simplifies Free-space Based Quantum Key Distribution
The Latest on: Global quantum encryption network
[google_news title=”” keyword=”global quantum encryption network” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Global quantum encryption network
- Quantum Cryptography market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 29.3% by 2034: Visiongainon April 26, 2024 at 6:22 am
Visiongain has published a new report entitled Quantum Cryptography Market Report 2024-2034: Forecasts by Component (Software, Hardware), by Software (Encryption Algorithms, Key Management Solutions, ...
- Space Age Security: How Satellites Could Extend Quantum Encryption Globallyon April 25, 2024 at 12:11 am
Quantum cryptography enables secure communication over large distances. How can we guarantee that data sent over the internet is only accessible to its intended recipient? Currently, our data is ...
- IBM tops quantum-safe networking rankingon April 24, 2024 at 5:00 pm
TelecomTV conducted a quantum-safe networking market perception survey More than 300 individuals from the global telecom sector responded ... use quantum computers to crack current encryption ...
- Satellite Applications Catapult trials Arqit Network Secure™on April 24, 2024 at 6:00 am
Arqit Quantum Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQQ, ARQQW) (Arqit), a leader in quantum-safe encryption, today announced the successful trial deployment of Arqit’s Network Secure product by the Satellite Applications ...
- Protecting hardware in the quantum eraon April 24, 2024 at 1:30 am
Dr. Axel Poschmann looks at how encryption is evolving to address the risks associated with the development of quantum computing.
- Why Banks Should be Taking Quantum Security Very Seriouslyon April 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Hackers can exploit encryption ‘backdoors’ and weak points to access sensitive information into the broader network ... cryptographically relevant quantum threat can undermine this and eclipse the ...
- Prepare for the Quantum leapon April 15, 2024 at 6:00 pm
T he artificial intelligence wave caught the world napping last year after building up for decades, but the next big tech thing will literally leap out of the sea of innovation. It is called Quantum ...
- On a quantum quest: Europe’s journey towards technological innovationon April 15, 2024 at 1:29 am
April marks World Quantum Day – an annual celebration dedicated to spreading awareness about quantum technologies (QT). Scientists predict that within a decade these technologies will significantly ...
- The quantum race: Quantum Day 2025 has ignited a global race, reshaping computing and cybersecurityon February 19, 2024 at 6:01 pm
Fifth column by Tavleen Singh: Listen to the farmers Quantum computing’s potency is evident—a traditional supercomputer would require 100 trillion years to break a 128-bit encryption code ...
- The quantum internet, explainedon February 1, 2023 at 4:42 am
The quantum ... global quantum internet will be deployed, but researchers estimate that interstate quantum networks will be established within the United States in the next 10 to 15 years. The quantum ...
via Bing News