Squeezed light and free-space quantum key distribution protocols operating in the thermal infrared window
Abstract
Free-space laser communications offer an attractive alternative for transmitting high-bandwidth data when fiber optic cable is neither practical nor feasible. This technology has emerged as a strong candidate with a large potential for many applications from daily-basis broadband internet to satellite. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is one of the major practical applications of quantum information theory, which provides trusted parties with the protocols for the provably secure distribution of secret cryptographic keys. This research project aims to investigate the feasibility of using for the first time quantum cascade lasers that are squeezed, in free space communication that are encoded with quantum information to perform quantum key distribution. The group s recent results showing how to produce squeezed light from semiconductor laser chips will be used for studying the first-ever mid-infrared continuous variable (CV) QKD in free space, given that the mid-infrared homodyne detection is available at present. By applying this novel mid-infrared quantum communication protocol, it is expected that we can gain the benefit from several aspects- (1) Simplicity. If the laser source itself can produce quantum signals as one expects without any other extra ""squeezer"" components, the large wavelength tunability will be exploited (2) Higher robustness against lossy channel (3) Potential for more compact integrated photonics. It is no doubt that, in the future, squeezed interband cascade lasers can be considered promising candidates for free-space quantum communication in electric cars, drones, and other applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 22, 2024
- Source ID
- FA86552317050
Entities
People
- Frédéric Grillot
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Institut Mines-Télécom
- United States Air Force