Quantum communication with coherent states of light

Khan I, Elser D, Dirmeier T, Marquardt C, Leuchs G (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A-Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences Royal Society, The

Book Volume: 375

Article Number: 20160235

Journal Issue: 2099

DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2016.0235

Abstract

Quantum communication offers long-term security especially, but not only, relevant to government and industrial users. It is worth noting that, for the first time in the history of cryptographic encoding, we are currently in the situation that secure communication can be based on the fundamental laws of physics (information theoretical security) rather than on algorithmic security relying on the complexity of algorithms, which is periodically endangered as standard computer technology advances. On a fundamental level, the security of quantum key distribution (QKD) relies on the non-orthogonality of the quantum states used. So even coherent states are well suited for this task, the quantum states that largely describe the light generated by laser systems. Depending on whether one uses detectors resolving single or multiple photon states or detectors measuring the field quadratures, one speaks of, respectively, a discrete- or a continuous-variable description. Continuous-variable QKD with coherent states uses a technology that is very similar to the one employed in classical coherent communication systems, the backbone of today's Internet connections. Here, we review recent developments in this field in two connected regimes: (i) improving QKD equipment by implementing front-end telecom devices and (ii) research into satellite QKD for bridging long distances by building upon existing optical satellite links.

Authors with CRIS profile

Christoph Marquardt Institut für Optik, Information und Photonik Gerhard Leuchs

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Khan, I., Elser, D., Dirmeier, T., Marquardt, C., & Leuchs, G. (2017). Quantum communication with coherent states of light. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A-Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences, 375(2099). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2016.0235

MLA:

Khan, Imran, et al. "Quantum communication with coherent states of light." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A-Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences 375.2099 (2017).

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