Quantum communications is the transmission of quantum information, which enables fundamentally new improvements to security, computing, and sensors. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has broad capabilities in quantum communications.
Normally the quantum information is encoded in the quantum state of a photon (the fundamental unit of light), which carries the quantum information directly or is used to share a quantum resource, such as entanglement. As a result, ORNL, ORNL’s Laboratory Directed Research and Development program, and other sponsors, have invested in a variety of photonic quantum communication technologies over many years. These technologies break into two major branches based upon how quantum information is encoded and decoded from the photonic quantum information carriers. The two encoding methods use discrete variable (DV) and continuous variables (CV). In DV approaches, quantum information is encoded in a combination of two or more distinct levels, for example, combinations of horizontal and vertical polarizations. DV encodings are a quantum version of classical digital encodings. In CV approaches, information is encoded by selecting from a continuous, broad spectrum of possibilities, a quantum version of classical analog encodings. ORNL has capability in CV and DV approaches with expertise and equipment for both.
ORNL’s most important quantum communications capability is its staff, which have in-depth knowledge of theoretical and experimental quantum communications, as well as the enabling technologies. While the core staff are organized in a formal team of four, quantum communications is interdisciplinary and, as such, there are six additional staff members with significant quantum communications experience, bringing the informal team to 10 researchers.
Complementing ORNL’s staff is a variety of quantum communications hardware and technology. Broadly these can be characterized as quantum light sources, detectors, and systems. The quantum light sources include squeezed light, single photons, and entangled photons. Detectors include homodyne, Silicon and Indium-Gallium-Arsenide avalanche photodiodes, and superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. Systems include quantum random number generators, a variety of telecommunications equipment and quantum key distribution systems.
Staff
Nicholas A Peters (Quantum Communications Team Lead)