Thousand Times Smaller Chip For Quantum Communication

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Communication nowadays is under attack and it may prove to be fatal. But there is hope – quantum technologies that may secure it against current threats.

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Image by Colin Behrens from Pixabay

You may not see it but the world that uses classical forms of securing communication – from ATMs to shopping with your smartphone has ended. Quantum technologies can so easily break all these technologies. Sending data electronically can be successfully attacked and that is a huge security risk. And the risk will only grow. Nonetheless, quantum technologies not only help criminals but they can also be helpful for the endangered communication systems that need to be protected better.

A quantum engineer Liu Ai Qun from the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore (NTU Singapore) and his coworkers developed a chip for quantum communication that is about a thousand times smaller than similar current quantum systems. At the same time, the chip provides luxurious quantum security.

The new quantum chip is only about three millimeters large and uses quantum communication algorithms to enhance security. Current quantum systems that can secure communication with quantum tricks are the size of a refrigerator. Or like a room or even a whole floor in a building. But a chip a few millimeters in size fits inside a smartphone, tablet or even a smartwatch.

Liu says that cybersecurity is very important. And it is. It all about data and communication. Practically all digital platforms require passwords or biometric data from their users. And these can be tracked or deciphered. But quantum communication needs neither as the password and the transferred information together create a message that is transferred between the communication participants. Only the recipient that has the correct key can read it. It almost like someone sent a locked safe with the key being inside the safe.

The chip developed by the team from NTU Singapore has another benefit. It should be cheap as it uses standard materials like silicone. And it is not hard to make. Liu is convinced that their research is bringing quantum computers and communication closer to the real world. It could lead to the development of a new generation of communication devices as well to better security of current digital services such as online banking, blockchain technologies or digital government.

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4 comments
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I thought Quantum Computing is still in the far future. It seems much closer every day now.

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(Edited)

Are quantum passwords, keys, etc, like blockchain keys, like the ones we have for Steemit, Bitcoin, Ethereum, cryptocurrencies, etc, or are you talking about something beyond mere keys that you type in? I would hope that quantum computers, phones, technology, blockchains, cryptocurrencies, etc, develop and continue to develop more and more, if they aren't already. I would love to buy quantum computers, etc, someday.

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