Chinese scientists have built the world’s first large-scale quantum key distribution (QKD) network based on integrated photonic quantum chips, which provides a feasible solution for building large-scale quantum communication chip networks and applications.
– This quantum network allows parallel communication among 20 users equipped with these quantum chips.
– It can span distances of up to 3,700 kilometers, placing it at the global leading level in terms of both the number of users and overall network reach.
– The new achievement overcomes the long-standing barrier through the development of high-performance, fully integrated photonic quantum chips by a research team led by Professor Wang Jianwei from Peking University and Academician Gong Qihuang.
– QKD uses the principles of quantum mechanics to securely share encryption keys.
– By transmitting keys through quantum states, it ensures that any eavesdropping attempt would be detectable, providing security for communication.
– Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) is an advanced form of QKD. It excels at long-distance transmission and allows multiple users to share expensive detection equipment, making it more efficient and practical for extended networks.
– TF-QKD demands extremely high-performance light sources and modulation devices.
– Integrating these components into compact, chip-level hardware has been a major technical hurdle. As a result, the technology has mostly been limited to simple point-to-point connections so far.
– Wang stated that this is the first demonstration in over 20 years internationally of a quantum key distribution network based on photonic quantum chips.
– Experiments show that the photonic quantum chips developed by the team exhibit high uniformity in wafer-level fabrication, holding promise for low-cost mass production and laying a technical foundation for building longer-distance, larger-scale user quantum key distribution networks
– “The QKD chip network represents one of the important paths toward system miniaturization and practical device deployment,” Wang said.
– High-performance, low-cost photonic quantum chips hold tremendous potential in promoting the large-scale application of quantum networks.
– Gong believed this development serves as an exemplary case of integrated photonic quantum technology driving the development of quantum communication.
– The achievement provides a feasible solution for building large-scale quantum communication chip networks and holds important significance for promoting the miniaturization, practicality, and scalability of quantum communication systems
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202602/1355243.shtml