Quantum communication at the Lodz University of Technology
The academic holidays in 2022 allowed for extremely interesting, pioneering work in the field of quantum computing at the Lodz University of Technology. In the Department of Semiconductor and Optoelectronic Devices of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science and Automatics, tests of cryptographic transmissions were carried out for the first time in Łódź using QKD - Quantum Key Distribution devices. The devices were made available by the Quantum Blockchains company from Łódź - the official partner of QNU Labs from Bangalore, India. QKD class devices allow for the transmission of encryption keys for cryptographic applications in a way that guarantees absolute security of data transmission. Security is ensured by the fundamental laws of quantum physics, which guarantee that any attempt to intercept the keys will be immediately detected, thanks to which there is no possibility of their "eavesdropping". Together with the associated encryption algorithms (one-time key ciphers), this method implements a perfect cipher - unbreakable by any known method. QKD devices accomplish this by sending quantum objects - single photons via optical fibers.
The tests included transmissions of quantum objects in optical fiber paths with lengths of 1.8, 5.8, 50 and 100 kilometers, respectively. Standard optical fibers compliant with the ITU-T G.652.D and G.657 standards used in modern telecommunications were used in the research. In addition to the test of direct connection of quantum and synchronizing channels, signal transmission was carried out within the existing FTTD (Fiber To The Desk) network. The results of the work resulted in an interesting report, which confirmed that thanks to the advanced optical path of the quantum channel of the devices, the generation of encryption keys and their transmission took place at an acceptable level, enabling practical use even for transmissions with a range of about 100 km.
The research was carried out by mgr inż. Mateusz Łakomski and MSc Eng. Przemysław Niedzielski from the team dr inż. Grzegorz Tosik Department of Semiconductor and Optoelectronic Devices headed by prof. dr hab. Eng. Zbigniew Lisik.
The research was carried out by Ph.D. Mateusz Łakomski i M.Sc Eng. Przemysław Niedzielski from the team of Ph.D Grzegorz Tosik Department of Semiconductor and Optoelectronic Devices headed by Ph.D D.Sc. Zbigniew Lisik.