From Quantum Communication to Quantum Internet

从量子通信到量子互联网

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-06710
• 负责人: Lo, HoiKwong
• 金额: $ 3.35万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2018-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=657878
• 关键词: Quantum; Communication; Internet

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.*****

有人说，人类对书面材料保密的愿望几乎和写作本身一样古老。随着互联网的兴起，加密的重要性越来越大。不幸的是，传统的加密方案通常基于计算假设，因此容易受到包括量子计算在内的算法和硬件的意外进步的影响。幸运的是，量子密码学提供了无条件的安全性-安全通信的圣杯-基于物理定律。量子加密网络目前正在中国和英国等国家建设。尽管如此，量子密码学的理论和实践之间存在很大的差距。量子黑客威胁到实际量子密钥分发系统的安全性。在这个提议中，我们将首先设计出实用的方法来挫败量子黑客，从而重新建立量子密钥分发（QKD）的安全性。其次，我们将构建基于硅芯片的QKD，这可以大大降低QKD的成本。第三，我们将设计和构建敏捷和可重构的量子网络。这种网络非常适合大城市距离的应用。第四，我们将发展我们的所有光子学量子中继器的理论建议，目标是使其实用。我们的建议具有消除量子存储器的苛刻要求的优点。量子中继器是量子互联网的重要使能技术，它允许在全球范围内进行安全的量子通信。量子互联网有许多有用的应用，包括量子云计算。第五，我们将通过作为欧洲太空探索项目的团队成员参与探索太空中的纠缠科学。在上述五个研究领域中的每一个领域的成功都将使我们更接近量子计算机用于量子化学模拟的未来，从而大大加快化学和生物分子和结构的设计和分析，以及通过量子密码学进行无条件安全通信的未来。