Expand this Topic clickable element to expand a topic
Skip to content
Optica Publishing Group
  • Optical Fiber Communication Conference and International Conference on Quantum Information
  • 2001 OSA Technical Digest Series (Optica Publishing Group, 2001),
  • paper T5
  • https://doi.org/10.1364/ICQI.2001.T5

Quantum communications

Open Access Open Access

Abstract

Quantum mechanics allows a number of communications protocols that would not be possible classically, including provably-secure messages (quantum cryptography), increased channel capacity, and the ability to transmit an unknown quantum state (quantum teleportation). This tutorial will provide an introductory description of what appear to be the most promising applications of quantum communications, including quantum cryptography and quantum repeaters. The most commonly-used methods for quantum cryptography will be described, including the advantages and disadvantages of each in practical applications. The maximum range of current quantum cryptography systems is limited by the fact that optical amplifiers would destroy the quantum coherence of single photons and cannot be used in these kinds of systems. One potential solution to this problem is the transmission of single photons in free space, which would allow a global system for quantum cryptography based on a network of satellites and ground stations. Free-space quantum cryptography systems of that kind have now been demonstrated over relatively short distances. The range of quantum cryptography systems in optical fibers can also be extended using quantum repeaters that make use of entanglement purification and quantum teleportation. These same techniques could also be used to implement a “quantum Internet” for the transmission of qubits from one quantum computer to another. The practical challenges that will have to be met in order to implement quantum repeaters and quantum teleportation over large distances will be discussed.

© 2001 Optical Society of America

PDF Article
More Like This
Quantum Communications

J.D. Franson
QThA1 Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference (CLEO:FS) 2001

Feasible Entanglement Purification for Quantum Communication

Jian-Wei Pan, Christoph Simon, Caslav Brukner, and Anton Zeilinger
PPE319 The European Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO/Europe) 2001

Unconditionally secure quantum communication over arbitrary distances

Anonymous
PS292 The European Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO/Europe) 2001

Select as filters


Select Topics Cancel
© Copyright 2024 | Optica Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved