From Quantum Communication to Quantum Internet

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It has been said that the human desire to keep written material a secret is almost as old as writing itself. With the rise of the Internet, the importance of encryption is growing. Unfortunately, conventional encryption schemes are often based on computational assumptions and are therefore vulnerable to unanticipated advances in algorithms and hardware including quantum computing. Fortunately, quantum cryptography offers unconditional security---the Holy Grail of secure communication---based on the laws of physics. Quantum cryptographic networks are currently being built in countries such as China and the UK. Nonetheless, there is a big gap between the theory and practice of quantum cryptography. Quantum hacking threatens the security of practical quantum key distribution systems.******In this proposal, we will first devise practical means to foil quantum hackers, thus re-establishing the security of quantum key distribution (QKD). Second, we will construct silicon chip-based QKD which could dramatically lower the cost of QKD. Third, we will design and build quantum networks that are agile and reconfigurable. Such a network is ideal for applications in metropolitan distances. Fourth, we will develop our theoretical proposal of all photonics quantum repeaters with the goal of making it practical. Our proposal has the advantage of removing the demanding requirement of quantum memories. Quantum repeaters are an important enabling technology for the quantum internet which allows secure quantum communication on a global scale. Quantum internet has many useful applications including quantum cloud computing. Fifth, we will explore entanglement science in space through our participation as a team member of the European Space-Quest project.******Success in each of the above five research areas in this proposal will bring us one step closer to a future where quantum computers are used for simulations in quantum chemistry, resulting in a dramatic speed up in the design and analysis of chemical and biological molecules and structures, and a future where unconditionally secure communication via quantum cryptography is routine.*****