Quantum Cryptography - A New Perspective for Digital Security?

From lasers used in medicine to high-performance microscopy - all these applications are based on a deep understanding of the physical nature of photons. Acquiring greater knowledge about light can help enable its targeted deployment as a tool. In telecommunication, highly sophisticated fibre-optics networks carrying laser-produced data packets have become the standard means of communication. Research institutes have also recently begun installing intelligent quantum networks, which could bring about a revolution in IT security. Laser-equipped satellites are a highly promising candidate for global quantum communication. 

While IT specialists are seeking to develop increasingly more effective encryption methods based on algorithms, physicists appear to be already one step ahead. Using quantum mechanics, they are developing encryption techniques that make use of the physical properties of light to send completely tap-proof messages.

Canada and Germany are leading players in photonic research and are undertaking various joint research initiatives, including some in the field of quantum cryptography. The forum will explore the basic principles, problems and prospects of this new technology. Is it still in its infancy, or can we anticipate major changes in IT security? Where are Canada and Germany in this race? What is required to maintain a lead over the competition in the long-term?

Discussion participants:

Prof. Dr. Gerd Leuchs, Director at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen

Prof. Dr. Robert W. Boyd, Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Quantum Nonlinear Optics, University of Ottawa

Dr. Stefan Seel, Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG, Backnang

Moderator:

Ralf Krauter, Science Journalist (Deutschlandfunk)

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