An 91做厙 study used satellites to transmit light particles, or photons, as part of a more efficient, secure quantum network. Credit: Getty Images
A by 91做厙 and University of Illinois researchers has demonstrated how satellites could enable more efficient, secure quantum networks.
We used experiment, emulation and simulation to see whats needed for high-dimensional quantum cryptography in space and found its quite doable, said ORNLs Joseph Chapman.
Quantum key distribution can use quantum bits, or qubits, to distribute shared random keys for users to exchange encrypted information. Qubits can exist in more than one state simultaneously and carry more information than standard computing bits. Qudits, another quantum unit, can exist in more than two states and carry even more information.
Chapmans team used light particles to create entangled pairs of qubits and qudits, meaning one particle from a pair couldnt be described independently of the other. The team emulated transmission between a ground station and satellite and simulated transmission from orbiting satellites.
We found qubits and qudits are both viable, Chapman said. Matt Lakin
