NCSA staff who would like to submit an item for the calendar can email newsdesk@ncsa.illinois.edu.
It is now well understood that quantum mechanics can enable otherwise impossible feats in the processing and communicating of information. For example, quantum cryptography enables provably secure encryption, even as the looming reality of quantum computers threatens our existing methods of encryption. To help bridge the gap to an eventual global multi-node quantum network, we are pursuing airborne and satellite-based free-space quantum communication. Free-space platforms may be easily moved/reoriented to target new nodes, and an agile, reconfigurable system -- we are implementing a multi-copter drone-based system -- could enable quantum cryptography in applications prohibited by current approaches, such as temporary networks in seaborne, urban, or even battlefield situations. At longer scale, we are pursuing a quantum link from the International Space Station to earth, which will use hyperentanglement to enable several advanced quantum communication protocols, including multi-bit-per-photon key distribution and “superdense” teleportation.