Progress in satellite quantum key distribution
Abstract Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a family of protocols for growing a private encryption key between two parties. Despite much progress, all ground-based QKD approaches have a distance limit due to atmospheric losses or in-fibre attenuation. These limitations make purely ground-based system...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2017-08-01
|
| Series: | npj Quantum Information |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-017-0031-5 |
| _version_ | 1818431031663919104 |
|---|---|
| author | Robert Bedington Juan Miguel Arrazola Alexander Ling |
| author_facet | Robert Bedington Juan Miguel Arrazola Alexander Ling |
| author_sort | Robert Bedington |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a family of protocols for growing a private encryption key between two parties. Despite much progress, all ground-based QKD approaches have a distance limit due to atmospheric losses or in-fibre attenuation. These limitations make purely ground-based systems impractical for a global distribution network. However, the range of communication may be extended by employing satellites equipped with high-quality optical links. This manuscript summarizes research and development which is beginning to enable QKD with satellites. It includes a discussion of protocols, infrastructure, and the technical challenges involved with implementing such systems, as well as a top level summary of on-going satellite QKD initiatives around the world. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:42:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d5558506003b4fa78f4cc74187892658 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2056-6387 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:42:51Z |
| publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Quantum Information |
| spelling | doaj.art-d5558506003b4fa78f4cc741878926582022-12-21T22:55:35ZengNature Portfolionpj Quantum Information2056-63872017-08-013111310.1038/s41534-017-0031-5Progress in satellite quantum key distributionRobert Bedington0Juan Miguel Arrazola1Alexander Ling2Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of SingaporeCentre for Quantum Technologies, National University of SingaporeCentre for Quantum Technologies, National University of SingaporeAbstract Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a family of protocols for growing a private encryption key between two parties. Despite much progress, all ground-based QKD approaches have a distance limit due to atmospheric losses or in-fibre attenuation. These limitations make purely ground-based systems impractical for a global distribution network. However, the range of communication may be extended by employing satellites equipped with high-quality optical links. This manuscript summarizes research and development which is beginning to enable QKD with satellites. It includes a discussion of protocols, infrastructure, and the technical challenges involved with implementing such systems, as well as a top level summary of on-going satellite QKD initiatives around the world.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-017-0031-5 |
| spellingShingle | Robert Bedington Juan Miguel Arrazola Alexander Ling Progress in satellite quantum key distribution npj Quantum Information |
| title | Progress in satellite quantum key distribution |
| title_full | Progress in satellite quantum key distribution |
| title_fullStr | Progress in satellite quantum key distribution |
| title_full_unstemmed | Progress in satellite quantum key distribution |
| title_short | Progress in satellite quantum key distribution |
| title_sort | progress in satellite quantum key distribution |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-017-0031-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT robertbedington progressinsatellitequantumkeydistribution AT juanmiguelarrazola progressinsatellitequantumkeydistribution AT alexanderling progressinsatellitequantumkeydistribution |