Title :
Practical quantum cryptography in free space
Author :
Buttler, W.T. ; Hughes, R.J. ; Kwiat, Paul G. ; Lamoreaux, S.K. ; Luther, G.G. ; Morgan, G.L. ; Nordholt, J.E. ; Peterson, C.G. ; Simmons, C.M. ; White, A.G.
Author_Institution :
Los Alamos Nat. Lab., NM, USA
Abstract :
Summary form only given.We demonstrated quantum cryptography, or quantum key distribution (QKD), in free space over an outdoor optical path of /spl sim/950 m under nighttime conditions. The success of free space QKD against a high background depends on the transmission and detection of single photons through an optically thick and turbulent medium. It has been shown that a combination of sub-nanosecond timing, narrow filters, spatial filtering, and adaptive optics can render the difficult detection problem tractable. Further, the nonbirefringent nature of the atmosphere at optical wavelengths allows the transmission of the single photon polarization states used in the free-space QKD protocol.
Keywords :
optical communication; quantum cryptography; quantum optics; 950 m; QKD protocol; adaptive optics; free space; nighttime; outdoor optical path; quantum cryptography; quantum key distribution; single photon polarization state; spatial filter; turbulent atmosphere; Cryptography; Optical attenuators; Optical fibers; Optical filters; Optical receivers; Optical transmitters; Physics; Quantum computing; Quantum mechanics; Telecommunications;
Conference_Titel :
Quantum Electronics Conference, 1998. IQEC 98. Technical Digest. Summaries of papers presented at the International
Conference_Location :
San Francisco, CA, USA
Print_ISBN :
1-55752-541-2
DOI :
10.1109/IQEC.1998.680185
