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Imagine a world where your messages, bank transactions, or medical data are protected by the fundamental laws of quantum physics, rather than just by digital codes. This is the promise of quantum cryptography, a revolution already underway thanks to photonic qubits.
A photonic qubit is the basic unit of quantum information, carried by a particle of light: the photon. Unlike classical bits (0 or 1), a qubit can exist in multiple states at once, opening the door to ultra-high-performance computations, but above all to unbreakable communications. Quantum cryptography harnesses these properties to create unbreakable communication systems, where a spy’s mere observation of the message alters it, immediately alerting both the sender and the recipient.
Why is this important? With the rise of quantum computers, current encryption methods could become obsolete. Quantum cryptography offers a solution for securing our data in the quantum era.
On the agenda for our Science Infuse workshop: What is a photonic qubit (with small experiments)? How does quantum cryptography work? What are some practical applications?

Lecture by Kuntheak Kheng, Professor of Physics at the University of Grenoble Alpes, head of the NanoSciences and Nanotechnologies program, and specialist in semiconductor physics and nanostructures

Watch the video