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: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=711858
• 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，加密的重要性与日俱增。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展的影响。幸运的是，量子密码学基于物理定律提供了无条件的安全性——安全通信的圣杯。量子加密网络目前正在中国和英国等国家建设。然而，量子密码学的理论与实践之间存在着很大的差距。量子黑客威胁着实际量子密钥分发系统的安全性。