Quantum optical communications and networks

Course guarantor:

Leoš Boháč

Lecturer:

Leoš Boháč

Tutor:

Leoš Boháč

Supervisor:

Department of Telecommunications Engineering

Synopsis:

The course covers principles and technologies for building the quantum internet and secure optical communications. Students will learn about Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Free Space Optics (FSO) technologies, and the basics of integrated photonics. The course includes practical measurements on fiber and fiber-less optical links and simulations of quantum protocols.

Requirements:

Basic knowledge of physics (optics, electromagnetism) and data network principles. Basic orientation in cryptography and mathematical statistics is an advantage a basics of quantum mechanics.

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Introduction to optical communications.

2. The Quantum Internet.

3. Basics of classical practical cryptography.

4. Technological elements for quantum networks.

5. Basic principles of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems.

6. Prepare-and-measure protocols.

7. CV, MDI, and entanglement-based protocols: variants and performance parameters.

8. Architecture and topology of networks designed for quantum key distribution.

9. Basics of Free Space Optics (FSO) data transmission.

10. Terrestrial and satellite free-space quantum transmission systems, atmospheric effects, configurations.

11. Security of quantum key distribution systems and networks.

12. Basics of integrated optics.

13. Integrated optical components for the quantum era and their parameters.

Syllabus of tutorials:

1. Calculation of optical fiber route parameters. Demonstration of optical fiber telecommunication systems. Measurement of optical fiber routes and importance of parameters for optical quantum transmission.

2. Practical measurements in IP networks and demonstration of routing.

3. Practical demonstration of data transmission using encrypted communication, PKI demonstration, key generation.

4. Measurement of optical components. Optical coupler. Polarization beam splitters, interferometers. Violation of Bell's inequality.

5. Basic experiments with the BB84 protocol.

6 Simulation of protocols for Quantum Key Distribution.

7. Measurements on a real QKD system - sifting.

8. Measurements on a real QKD system - ER (Error Reconciliation) and PA (Privacy Amplification).

9. FSO measurements: setup and alignment of FSO link, measurement of communication FSO transmission parameters.

10. FSO measurements - Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer - demonstration of 2-photon interference.

11. FSO measurements of QKD transmission.

12.Design of optical planar waveguides and planar structures. Excursion to the nanoelectronic technology laboratory - Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE), direct write lithography.

13. Simulation of semiconductor nanowire-based lasers using Silvaco TCAD system. Simulation of PN diode and avalanche photodiode. Quantum simulations of nanostructures: comparison of energy states and wave functions of atoms and quantum dots of various shapes and dimensions.

Study Objective:

The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of modern quantum communication systems. Upon completion, students will be able to:

a. Explain QKD principles and the differences between classical and quantum cryptography.

b. Design and measure parameters of an optical link for quantum transmission.

c. Operate QKD systems and perform security and performance measurements.

d. Understand integrated optics and nanophotonics technologies for quantum applications.

Study materials:

[1] Van Meter, R. (2014). Quantum Networking. ISTE Ltd and John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

[2] Musa, Sarhan M..Network Security and Cryptography, Mercury Learning & Information, 2022. ProQuest Ebook Central.

[3] Duarte, F. J.. Quantum Optics for Engineers : Quantum Entanglement, Taylor & Francis Group, 2024.

[4] Mehic, Miralem, et al. Quantum Key Distribution Networks : A Quality of Service Perspective, Springer International Publishing AG, 2022. ProQuest Ebook Central.

[5] Gjøsteen, Kristian. Practical Mathematical Cryptography, CRC Press LLC, 2022.

[6] Bertaccini, Massimo. Cryptography Algorithms : A Guide to Algorithms in Blockchain, Quantum Cryptography, Zero-Knowledge Protocols, and Homomorphic Encryption, Packt Publishing, Limited, 2022.

[7] Jogenfors, Jonathan. Breaking the Unbreakable : Exploiting Loopholes in Bell's Theorem to Hack Quantum Cryptography, Linkopings Universitet, 2017.

[8] Benslama, Malek, et al. Quantum Communications in New Telecommunications Systems, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2017.

[9] Lek, Kamol, and Naruemol Rajapakse. Cryptography : Protocols, Design, and Applications, Nova Science Publishers, Incorporated, 2012.

[10] Simon, David S., et al. Quantum Metrology, Imaging, and Communication, Springer International Publishing AG, 2016.

[11] Fox, Mark. Quantum Optics : An Introduction, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2006.

[12] Ciesla, Robert. Encryption for Organizations and Individuals : Basics of Contemporary and Quantum Cryptography, Apress L. P., 2020.

[13] Simon, David S., et al. Quantum Metrology, Imaging, and Communication, Springer International Publishing AG, 2016.

[14] Mishra, Vinod K.. An Introduction to Quantum Communication, Momentum Press, 2016.

[15] Superconducting Devices in Quantum Optics, edited by Robert Hadfield, and Göran Johansson, Springer International Publishing AG, 2016.

[16] Capmany, José, and Daniel Pérez. Programmable Integrated Photonics, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2020.

[17] Majumdar, Arun K.. Advanced Free Space Optics (FSO) : A Systems Approach, Springer New York, 2014.

[18] Photodetectors : Materials, Devices and Applications, edited by Bahram Nabet, Elsevier Science & Technology, 2023.

Note:

The course is suitable for students interested in future telecommunication network technologies and cybersecurity. Emphasis is placed on practical experiments with real QKD hardware.

Further information:

No time-table has been prepared for this course

The course is a part of the following study plans: