Quantum cryptography leverages principles of quantum mechanics, specifically the properties of qubits, to create unbreakable cryptographic keys that are used in secure communication protocols.
It addresses the vulnerability of classical cryptography to quantum computing attacks and provides a method for secure key exchange that is theoretically unbreakable by quantum computers in the future.
Qubits, due to their superposition and entanglement properties, enable the creation of encryption keys that cannot be intercepted or tampered with without detection. This is achieved through quantum key distribution (QKD) methods such as BB84 or E91 schemes, where any attempt at eavesdropping will alter the qubits' state, thus alerting both communicating parties to potential security breaches.
Manufacturing involves creating qubits using various techniques such as trapped ions, superconducting circuits, or photonic systems. These qubits are then integrated into devices capable of performing QKD protocols.
The build process includes designing and fabricating quantum devices, integrating them with classical communication infrastructure, and testing for security and performance.
Field units draw low hundreds of watts; fabrication is energy-intensive due to vacuum baking and cooling requirements.
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