Quantum key distribution--Undergraduate curriculum.
Date
2017
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Abstract
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is one of the technological applications of
quantum mechanics. The technology allows two users to securely establish
an unbreakable key. The key is used to encrypt and decrypt sensitive information
such as online banking and emails. This technological application has
matured in an industry as it provides real world implementation. It offers
a provably secure key based on the principles of quantum mechanics. There
are products that are available that can be used to implement this technology.
This study demonstrates the implementation of the QKD process for the
undergraduate physics curriculum. We outline the procedure of QKD in
a convenient way for students to follow and understand. To this end, a
comprehensive manual has been developed to enable undergraduate students
to learn the foundations of QKD. Students will gain knowledge that using
quantum mechanical properties, two remote parties can securely establish a
communication by exchanging keys which can then be used as an encryption.
We present the QKD system such as the id 3000 as a learning tool in the
physics 3rd-year laboratory, to introduce undergraduate students to applications
in quantum information science. We demonstrate a typical experiment
which undergraduate students can perform using the id 3000 system in the
3rd physics laboratory. Our vision is to see students exploring quantum mechanics
in more depth and learning practical work alongside theories taught
in the curriculum.
Description
Master of Science in Physics. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2017.