Security in a Quantum World

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For thousands of years, code-makers and code-breakers have been competing for supremacy. With the advent of the internet, the importance of encryption is growing. Unlike conventional cryptography, quantum cryptography offers unconditional security based on the laws of physics. This research program addresses a wide range of important unresolved problems in quantum cryptography. It involves research in theory, simulations and experiments. On the theory side, we plan to study the fundamental question of the connection between quantum correlations called entanglement and quantum secret sharing. On the simulation side, we will study the performance of practical quantum cryptographic systems. On the experimental side, we plan to design and build a high-speed quantum cryptographic network using continuous variables, thus enabling quantum communication with existing fibre networks. As a spin-off technology, we will build a robust, low-cost, high-speed quantum random number generator, which has widespread applications in cryptography, simulations and on-line gaming. A particular strength of our program is our expertise in quantum hacking and counter-measures against it. In fact, a centrepiece of our new research program is the study of the strengths and weaknesses of an entirely type of quantum cryptographic protocols based on "measurement-device-independent" quantum key distribution. Here, we aim at building new type of quantum key distribution systems with unmatched security and performance. Our work not only contributes to fundamental research, but also may incubate the first Canadian commercial quantum key distribution systems.