Scintillometry for Practical Quantum Communication

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This proposal requests the acquisition of two scintillometer systems for the purpose of completing my current 5.4-km free-space quantum communications link across the City of Ottawa and expanding it to a quantum network. A scintillometer is a system consisting of two parts an emitter unit that emits light across the link, and a detector unit which measures the intensity fluctuations of the emitted light which can actively measure the atmospheric turbulence strength across a free-space channel. Atmospheric turbulence is a rapidly varying factor, and its strength can greatly affect the security of quantum cryptographic protocols operated across free-space links. Actively knowing the atmospheric turbulence strength, obtained from a scintillometer system, is a crucial piece of information for both the effective operation and choice of free-space links, but also for the quantitative and comprehensive modelling of theoretical models correlating the security of quantum communication protocols to atmospheric conditions. These aspects are important for the development of novel, practical protocols that are robust and secure in a wide range of conditions. This is important for Canadians to keep their encrypted information secure and the quantum communications community as there is a gap in knowledge concerning these details about atmospheric conditions. Enabled by the acquisition of the requested scintillometer systems, it is anticipated that these research activities will build upon our current foundations for creating a practical urban quantum network, positioning Ottawa and Canada as a leader in the field of quantum cryptography.