In recent news, Micius, a satellite launched by China in 2016, has been making headlines due to its unique quantum communication capabilities. Named after the Chinese scientist whose works formed the basis for Chinese philosophy and cosmogony, Micius is the world’s first quantum communications satellite. This extraordinary feat of technology serves as a source of entangled photons, light particles with properties that remain intertwined regardless of the distance between them.
Understanding Entangled Photons and Quantum Cryptography
Entangled photons are twinned light particles. The unique property of these twins is that if one photon is manipulated, the other will respond in kind instantly, regardless of distance. This remarkable quality is pivotal to the creation of secure quantum cryptography, the study of cutting-edge encryption and decryption concepts.
In practice, if one of the entangled particles is used to generate an encoding key for messages, only the individual with possession of the second particle can decode said messages. This form of encryption provides unprecedented levels of security in data transmission.
Recent Developments and Achievements of Micius
Notably, Micius has successfully introduced entanglement-based quantum cryptography to two original ground stations separated by a distance of 1,200 kilometers. This incredible achievement was accomplished by transmitting simultaneous streams of entangled photons from the satellite to the stations, effectively establishing a direct link between them.
Micius’ role during this transmission process was purely as a provider of the essential entangled photons needed for the quantum cryptography. However, none of the communications actually passed through the satellite, allowing the ground stations to maintain robust and unbreakable cryptographic protection without needing to trust Micius. This is the first-ever execution of such a procedure via a satellite and at these distances.
While the exact method of transmitting these messages was not specified, speculation suggests various possibilities such as optical fiber, another communication satellite, radio, or any other pre-agreed method.
Quantum Encryption for Securing Long-range Communication
In light of the increasing need for secure long-range communication, scientists are turning to quantum encryption. Micius has been leading the charge in this field for several years, advancing the practical applications of this technology.
The Quantum Race
Following the exposure of internet surveillance by Western governments, China has ramped up its research into quantum cryptography. Their aim is straightforward: to create more secure methods of communication. The launch of Micius and the subsequent development of quantum communication systems bear significant resemblance to the effect of the space race triggered by the launch of the Sputnik satellite in the 20th century.
Sputnik, the first artificial Earth satellite, was launched by the Soviet Union on October 4th, 1957. Like Sputnik ignited a race to space, Micius fuels the quantum race, a competition with profound political and military implications. While countries around the world may consider trusting Micius for securing their communications, it’s likely many will opt to develop their own equivalent resource, further fueling the global race towards mastering quantum technology.