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Applications of quantum communication protocols in real world scenarios toward space

Anwendungen der Quantenkommunikation auf der Erde und im Weltraum

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Summary

Quantum cryptography and quantum computation are based on the communication of single quantum states and quantum entanglement, respectively. Particularly in view of these high potential applications the question arises, whether quantum correlations can be sufficiently well communicated over global distances to be used in communication protocols as predicted by quantum mechanics. Various experiments and possible application of quantum communications on ground and in space are discussed in this article. Thereby, it confirms the feasibility of quantum communication in space on a global scale, involving the International Space Station (ISS) or satellites linking to optical ground stations.

Zusammenfassung

Quantenkryptographie und Quantencomputer basieren auf dem Austausch und der Manipulation von einzelnen Quantenzuständen und auf deren Verschränkung. Im Hinblick auf das große Potential dieser Anwendungen muss man sich die Frage stellen, ob solche Quantenzustände auch mit für die Verwendung in den Quantenkommunikationsprotokollen ausreichend guter Qualität über globale Distanzen hinweg ausgetauscht werden können, wie das gemäß der Theorie der Quantenmechanik möglich sein sollte. Dieser Artikel diskutiert verschiedene Experimente und mögliche Anwendungen der Quantenkommunikation sowohl auf der Erde als auch im Weltraum. Dabei wird gezeigt, dass die technische Realisierung von globaler Quantenkommunikation im Weltall durch die optische Vernetzung der Internationalen Raumstation (ISS) oder von Satelliten mit optischen Bodenstationen machbar ist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Experimental Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    R. Ursin

  2. Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Vienna, Austria

    F. Tiefenbacher & T. Jennewein

  3. Institute for Experimental Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    A. Zeilinger

  4. Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Vienna, Austria

    A. Zeilinger

Authors
  1. R. Ursin
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  2. F. Tiefenbacher
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  3. T. Jennewein
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  4. A. Zeilinger
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Ursin, R., Tiefenbacher, F., Jennewein, T. et al. Applications of quantum communication protocols in real world scenarios toward space. Elektrotech. Inftech. 124, 149–153 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00502-007-0435-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00502-007-0435-6

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