QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY

Citation
H. Zbinden et al., QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY, Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics, 67(6), 1998, pp. 743-748
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Physics, Applied",Optics
ISSN journal
09462171
Volume
67
Issue
6
Year of publication
1998
Pages
743 - 748
Database
ISI
SICI code
0946-2171(1998)67:6<743:>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
After a short introduction to classic cryptography we explain thorough ly how quantum cryptography works. We present then an elegant experime ntal realization based on a self-balanced interferometer with Faraday mirrors. This phase-coding setup needs no alignment of the interferome ter nor polarization control, and therefore considerably facilitates t he experiment. Moreover it features excellent fringe visibility. Next, we estimate the practical limits of quantum cryptography. The importa nce of the detector noise is illustrated and means of reducing it are presented. With present-day technologies maximum distances of about 70 km with bit rates of 100 Hz are achievable.