Quantum key distribution and its applications

Takeoka, Masahiro

doi:10.1117/3.100307.ch11

Book: Quantum Photonics

Editor(s): Yasuhiko Arakawa; Dieter Bimberg

Chapter Author(s): Masahiro Takeoka

Published: 2024

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.100307.ch11

Abstract

This chapter describes quantum cryptography. Quantum cryptography is one of the most successful applications of quantum optics and quantum information theory. The key technology of quantum cryptography is quantum key distribution (QKD), which can distribute secret keys that are unbreakable by any computational means or physical eavesdropping attacks. The chapter starts with a brief overview of the current cryptographies and their potential threats, then describes the security and basic operation principles of quantum cryptography. We will also see that quantum cryptography has already been deployed into the field testbed, and proof-of-concept demonstrations of its applications will soon be available in practical use.