Hack-Proof Quantum Encryption Is Coming To China
Last week, China has written itself into the history books with the launch of the satellite 'Micius', named after a fifth century B.C. Chinese scientist. The satellite will be conducting experiments on quantum communication and teleportation to ground stations. In 2013, China released the results of a successful experiment to send single photons on a round trip to an orbiting satellite and detect them back on earth afterwards. This breakthrough opened the door for more advanced tests and the creation of the first quantum satellite.
China has been investing massively in quantum research and increasing their research budget to $101 billion in 2015 from 1 billion in 2005. It's worth saying that this project is a joint operation with Austria, and includes a test facility in Vienna.
Why is this such a big deal?
Quantum communication is the holy grail of encryption. More specific, quantum key exchange. If a secret key can be sent through information contained in entangled photons, they would effectively have created an unbreakable encryption.The reason it can’t be hacked is because the information carried in the quantum state of a particle cannot be measured or cloned without destroying the information itself.
Just reading the data that is encoded in a quantum state changes that state. So China's system would know when someone is trying to eavesdrop. If quantum key exchange can be achieved over long distances at high speed, we are one step closer to a world without surveillance.
Sources:
https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/16/china-quantum-satellite/
http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/satellites/china-unveils-secret-quantum-communications-experiment
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-08/15/c_135600061.htm
Follow me here and subscribe to an eclectic mix of posts. Futuristic rambling, surreal art, entrepreneurial hacks, and some random awesomeness can be expected!