2017/07/31 by Robert Bedington, Juan Miguel Arrazola, Alexander Ling · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s41534-017-0031-5
published as npj Quantum Information 3, Article number: 30 (2017) · 16 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables
arxiv created 2017/08/25 · arxiv updated 2017/08/28
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a family of protocols for growing a private encryption key between two parties. Despite much progress, all ground-based QKD approaches have a distance limit due to atmospheric losses or in-fibre attenuation. These limitations make purely ground-based systems impractical for a global distribution network. However, the range of communication may be extended by employing satellites equipped with high-quality optical links. This manuscript summarizes research and development which is beginning to enable QKD with satellites. It includes a discussion of protocols, infrastructure, and the technical challenges involved with implementing such systems, as well as a top level summary of on-going satellite QKD initiatives around the world.