Speaker
Prof.
Rupert Ursin
(IQOQI - Vienna, Austrian Academy of Sciences)
Description
Quantum key distribution (QKD) can in principle offer
unconditional security by making use of the fundamental laws
of quantum mechanics. In practice, this is typically
achieved by preparing individual photons in quantum
superposition states and sending them to a remote receiver.
To date, most commercially available QKD systems rely on the
transmission of the photons via optical fibers, which, due
to channel loss and detector noise, limits the distance over
which QKD is feasible to a few hundred kilometers.
Alternatively, satellite-based QKD facilitates low photon
loss and negligible signal disturbance and offers a viable
solution for establishing a global scale quantum network.
Recently, a quantum science mission of the Chinese Academy
of Sciences (CAS) in collaboration with the Austrian Academy
of Sciences (AAS) and the University of Vienna aimed at a
satellite-based intercontinental quantum-key relay. Using
the Chinese Quantum Science Satellite “Micius” as a trusted
relay, a quantum network consisting of three optical ground
stations located in China (Xinglong, Nanshan) and Austria
(Graz-Lustbühel) has been demonstrated successfully.
Here we report on the development of a quantum receiving
module, installed at the Satellite Laser Ranging Station in
Graz (Austria) capable of implementing the so-called
decoy-state QKD protocol in a downlink scenario from the LEO
satellite “Micius”. Furthermore, we will present the
experimental results obtained during several downlinks from
the Chinese satellite focusing in particular on the
performance of the Austrian receiving station.
Primary author
Prof.
Rupert Ursin
(IQOQI - Vienna, Austrian Academy of Sciences)
