Quantum communication in action - description, features and interesting facts

Quantum physics offers a brand new method of information protection. Why is it needed, is it now impossible to build a secure communication channel? Of course, you can. But you have already created quantum computers, and in that moment when they become ubiquitous, modern encryption algorithms are useless, as these powerful computers can crack them in a matter of seconds. Quantum communication allows you to encrypt information using photons-elementary particles.

These computers, getting access to a quantum channel, or otherwise alter the present state of the photons. And attempt to obtain information leading to its damage. The transmission speed is of course lower compared to other, existing channels, for example, with a telephone line. But quantum communication provides a much higher level of secrecy. This, of course, a very big plus. Especially in today's world, when cyber crime is growing every day.

Quantum communication for dummies

Once a pigeon has been superseded by the Telegraph, in turn, the Telegraph replaced the radio. Of course, it is today, will not go away, but there were other modern technologies. Just ten years ago the Internet was not common like today and access to it was relatively difficult to obtain — we had to go to Internet clubs to buy very expensive cards, etc. Today without the Internet, we do not live nor the hour, and look forward to 5G.

But the new standard will not solve the challenges that now face the organization of data exchange through the Internet, receiving data from satellites of settlements on other planets, etc. All these data needs to be protected. And it is easy to organize with the so-called quantum entanglement.

What is quantum communication? For "dummies" explains this phenomenon as the connection between different quantum characteristics. It persists even when the particles are spaced from each other by a large distance. Encrypted and transferred by means of quantum entanglement is the key, do not provide any valuable information to the hackers that try to intercept. All that they will receive — that other figures, as the system state when external intervention is changed.

But to create a world system of data transmission was not possible because after a few tens of kilometers, the signal faded. The satellite launched in 2016, will help implement a system for quantum key collection distances of more than 7 thousand km.

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The First successful attempts to use new connections

The first quantum cryptography Protocol was obtained in 1984, Today this technology is successfully used in the banking sector. Well-known companies offer their own cryptosystem.

The Quantum communication line is accomplished on a standard fiber optic cable. In Russia, the first secure channel was built between the offices of "Gazprombank" in New Cheryomushki and Cowhide shaft. Total length is 30.6 km, the error when the key is there, but their percentage is minimal — only 5%.

China launched a satellite quantum communication

The world's First such satellite was launched in China. Rocket Long March-2D was launched on 16 August 2016 from Baikonur, JIU-Chuan. The satellite weighing 600 kg will have 2 years to fly in sun-synchronous orbit with a height of 310 miles (or 500 km) within the program "Quantum experiments at space scale." The period of revolution of the device around the Earth is equal to one and a half hours.

Satellite quantum communication called Micius, or "Mo Tzu", in honor of the philosopher who lived in the V century BC and, as is commonly believed, the first conducted optical experiments. Scientists plan to study the mechanism of quantum entanglement and to carry out quantum teleportation between the satellite and the lab in Tibet.

Latest reports quantum state of a particle at a specified distance. To implement this process need a pair of entangled (i.e., coupled) particles located at a distance from each other. According to quantum physics, they are able to capture information about the status of the partner, even when you are away from each other. It is possible to influence the particle which is in deep space, working on her partner, who is next in the laboratory.

The Satellite will create two entangled photons and send them to the Ground. If the experiment is successful, it will mark the beginning of a new era. Dozens of such satellites can not only ensure the wide distribution of the quantum Internet, and quantum communication in space for future settlements on Mars and on the moon.

Why you need such companions

But why do we need a satellite quantum communication? Do existing regular satellites is not enough? The fact that these satellites will not replace conventional. The principle of quantum communication is the encoding and protection of the existing normal data channels. With its help, for example, has ensured the safety during the parliamentary elections in 2007, in Switzerland.

A Nonprofit research organization Bartelski memorial Institute, is conducting the exchange of information betweenoffices in USA (Ohio) and in Ireland (Dublin) using quantum entanglement. Its principle is based on the behavior of photons-elementary particles of light. With their help, the information is encoded and sent to the recipient. Theoretically, even the most careful attempt to interfere, will leave a mark. The quantum key will change immediately, and the hacker who attempted, will receive a senseless character set. Therefore, all data which will pass through these channels of communication can't be intercepted or copied.

The Satellite will help scientists to test the distribution of the key between ground stations and the satellite.

Quantum communication in China will be realized through fibre-optic cables with a total length of 2 thousand km and connecting 4 cities from Shanghai to Beijing. A series of infinitely transmitted photons can't, and the longer the distance between stations, the higher the chance that information will be corrupted.

After Going some distance, the signal fades, and scientists, in order to support the correct transfer of information, the desired method of update signal after every 100 km of cables this is accomplished by using proven components, where the key is parsed is copied to the new photon moves on.

A Little history

In 1984, J. Brassard of University of Montreal and H. Bennett of IBM suggested that photons can be used in cryptography to obtain secure fundamental channel. They proposed a simple scheme of redistribution of quantum encryption keys, which was named ВВ84.

This Scheme uses a quantum channel over which information between two users is transmitted in the form of polarized quantum States. Listening their the hacker can try to measure these photons, but he can't do it, as mentioned above, not making them distortion. In 1989, the Research center of IBM Brassard and Bennett have created the world's first working quantum cryptographic system.

What is quantum-optical cryptographic system (COX)

Main technical performance COX (error rate, transmission speed, etc.) is defined by the parameters forming the channel elements, which generate, transmit, and measure quantum States. Usually COKE consists of the receiving and transmitting parts that are linked by a transmission channel.

The radiation Sources are divided into 3 classes:

• Lasers;
• Microlaser;
• Light emitting diodes.

For the transmission of optical signals as a medium is fiber-optic LEDs that are combined in cables in different designs.

Nature of the secrecy of quantum communications

Turning from signals in which the transmitted information is encoded by the pulses of thousands of photons, a signal in which one pulse, on average, have less than one come into play the quantum laws. The use of these laws with classical cryptography allows us to achieve secrecy.

Heisenberg's uncertainty Principle used in quantum cryptographic devices, and thanks to him, any attempts to modify quantum system, make changes, and the formation obtained as a result of this measurement is determined by the accept party as false.

Does quantum cryptography a 100% guarantee against burglary?

Theoretically gives, but technical solutions are not entirely reliable. Malefactors began to use a laser beam, with which they dazzle quantum detectors, after which they cease to respond to the quantum properties of photons. Sometimes used multiphoton sources, and hackers may be able to skip one of them and measure identical.