Abstract of the talk:

Quantum key distribution (QKD) establishes highly secure cryptographic keys between distant parties by using single photons to transmit each bit of the key. According to the laws of quantum mechanics, the photons cannot be tapped, copied or measured without leaving telltale signs of observation. Such systems provide the peace-of-mind knowledge that any eavesdropping can be immediately detected and addressed. Due to some fundamental physical constraints related to losses in optical fibres, satellites in Earth orbit represent the only way using currently feasible technology to provide global-distance QKD services, for example, between cities or continents. Teams in China, Europe, the United States, Japan, Canada, Singapore and other nations are currently engaged in a “Quantum Space Race”, vying to be the forerunners in satellite based QKD. With China having recently demonstrated the feasibility of satellite based QKD through the successful “Micius” quantum communication satellite, space based QKD has become a more important research direction globally than ever before. In India, our Quantum Information and Computing lab at RRI is working on a mega project called Quantum Experiments with Satellite Technology (QuEST) in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organization. This is India’s first satellite based QKD project which aims to develop indigenous technologies for satellite based QKD towards a quantum secure future for India. In this talk, I will discuss about the field of quantum communications in general and share a brief overview of various activities that our lab is spearheading towards development of indigenous quantum technologies in general and quantum communications in particular.

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Note: The webinar is free to attend, however, registration is mandatory.