Newsroom
What is Quantum Communication?
Quantum communication is the transmission of information using quantum properties of light or other quantum systems. In photonics, it commonly relies on photons transmitted through optical fiber or free-space links to enable applications such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).
Unlike conventional communications, quantum communication can exploit the fact that measuring a quantum state can disturb it. This property makes it possible to detect eavesdropping and establish secure encryption keys based on quantum physics. Quantum communication can use different approaches, including discrete-variable and continuous-variable protocols.
HOW Quantum Communication Works
The principle can be understood through three main steps:
Quantum state preparation
Information is encoded into controlled quantum states of light, using properties such as phase, amplitude, polarization, or individual photons.
Quantum transmission
The quantum signals are transmitted between a sender and receiver through an optical fiber or a free-space optical link. In satellite communication, the optical signal can propagate through the atmosphere and vacuum.
Detection and information extraction
The receiver measures the incoming quantum states using appropriate optical detection and demodulation techniques. In QKD, the two parties can then establish a shared secret key while checking for disturbances that could indicate eavesdropping.
