Recently, the chairman of the Mission Governing Board of the National Quantum Mission, announced that India plans to launch a quantum satellite within the next 2-3 years to enable quantum communications.
About Quantum Satellite
- A quantum satellite is a type of communications satellite that leverages the principles of quantum physics to secure its signals.
- Example: Micius, launched by China in 2016 was the world’s first quantum communications satellite.
- It Generates pairs of entangled photons for secure communication demonstrating the feasibility of secure quantum cryptography using entanglement.
- The Qunatum satellite will enable quantum key distribution (QKD), a process that ensures secure Quantum communication by detecting eavesdropping attempts and aborting compromised transmissions.
- Purpose: Enables secure communication by preventing unauthorized interception of messages transmitted over long distances through multiple networks.
- Relevance: The advent of quantum computers poses a threat to current security technologies, such as cryptographic security, which rely on complex mathematical problems to protect encryption keys.
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Quantum Satellite vs. Conventional Satellite
| Feature |
Quantum Satellite |
Conventional Satellite |
| Core Technology |
Quantum mechanics (e.g., superposition, entanglement) |
Classical physics |
| Primary Function |
Secure communication (quantum key distribution) |
Various applications: communication, navigation, remote sensing, etc. |
| Data Transmission |
Encodes information in quantum states Qubits. |
Encodes information in classical bits |
| Security |
Unconditionally secure against eavesdropping |
Security relies on cryptographic algorithms |
| Current Status |
Primarily experimental |
Mature technology with widespread applications |
| Challenges |
Technical challenges in maintaining quantum states during transmission and reception |
Technological limitations and potential vulnerabilities to quantum computing attacks |
Principles of Quantum Mechanics involved
| Key principle |
Description |
| Superposition
|
State in which a quantum particle can represent not just one possibility, but a combination of multiple possibilities. |
| Quantum Entanglement
|
Quantum particles interact physically in ways such that the quantum state of each cannot be described independently.
- Enables quantum systems to exhibit correlations stronger than any possible classical behaviour.
|
| Quantum Interference
|
Wave-like characteristics of quantum particles cause interference effects between different probability states that can result in constructive or destructive interference analogous to the interference effects seen in waves. |
| Quantum Tunneling
|
Ability of particles to tunnel through barriers when according to classical physics they do not have enough energy to do so.
- Principle is critical for the functioning of quantum computer hardware like quantum dots.
|
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About Quantum Communication
- Quantum communication leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to securely transmit and manipulate information.
- It utilizes the unique properties of quantum systems, such as superposition and entanglement, to enable secure transmission and manipulation of information.
Mechanisms in Quantum Communication
- Quantum Measurement: Any measurement of a quantum system changes its state, revealing eavesdropping.
- Quantum Entanglement:Changes to one entangled photon instantaneously affect its pair, ensuring secure communication.
Challenges in Quantum Satellite Implementation
- Authentication Issues: QKD lacks mechanisms to verify the source of transmission.
- Hardware Limitations: Difficulties in upgrading and patching quantum communication devices.
- Denial-of-Service (DoS) Risks: Eavesdroppers can interrupt transmissions by triggering the abort mechanism.
- Infrastructure Costs: High setup and maintenance costs for QKD networks.Signal Loss: Atmospheric and distance-related attenuation affects photon transmission reliability.
- India’s Advancements in Quantum Satellite Technology
National Quantum Mission (NQM)
- The National Quantum Mission (NQM) was established in 2023 by the Indian government with a budget of Rs. 6003.65 crore for a period of eight years.
- The mission aims to foster research and development in quantum technologies, with a focus on developing quantum computers, sensors, and communication systems
Objectives of the NQM:
- Advancing Quantum Technologies: Harness quantum mechanics for next-generation communication and sensing systems.
- Enhancing Security: Facilitate encrypted communication resilient to interception, especially in the era of quantum computing.
- Research & Development: Establish India as a global leader in quantum technologies through focused research and satellite-based experimentation.
|
India’s Advancements in Quantum Satellite Technology
- Studies at the Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru identified Hanle, Ladakh, as an optimal site for establishing satellite based Quantum Communication systems as it has low signal loss.
- India’s National Quantum Mission is set to focus on overcoming technological and logistical challenges.
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Way forward
- While quantum cryptography shows immense promise, experts advocate for integrating it with post-quantum cryptography which are advanced classical techniques designed to withstand quantum computing attacks.
- This approach ensures robust and scalable security frameworks in the quantum era.
December 23, 2024
