Raman Research Institute researchers successfully demonstrate secure communication between stationary source and moving receiver using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

The technology could help India design secure communication channels, especially for defence and strategic purposes, enhance cyber security and make online transactions safer

For the first time in India, researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) have successfully demonstrated secure communication established between a stationary source and a moving receiver using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).

Prof. Urbasi Sinha, who led the team of researchers, said that this breakthrough demonstration could pave the way for ground-to-satellite-based secure quantum communication.

The successful experimental demonstration, which was performed at the institute in March, could also help India design and provide secure communication channels, especially for defence and strategic purposes, enhance cyber security and make online transactions safer.

In order to achieve this feat, Prof. Sinha and her team at the Quantum Information and ComputingI (QuIC) lab deployed an indigenously deployed Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) system.

This PAT system assisted the ground-based source in tracking the moving receiver, in this case, a terrestrial vehicle, a few metres apart.

Prof Sinha added that the present demonstration is in continuation to the QuIC lab’s February 2021 demonstration of QKD between two buildings using an atmospheric free space channel.

“Just like our team achieved the first secure quantum communication between two buildings for the first time in India, we are equally delighted to be the first Indian team to achieve secure quantum communication between a stationary source and a moving platform, a critical milestone in our quest towards satellite-based quantum communications,” Prof Sinha added.