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Quantum key distribution devices:

How to make them and how to break them

PhD Thesis Defense
Sarah Kaiser
Institute for Quantum Computing

Information security is an integral part of modern society.

Classical infrastructure is already horribly compromised.

Attacks on classical key exchange will only get worse.

At least many people are Shor...

Potentially Secure Key Exchange

Post-quantum cryptography

Quantum key distribution

Why don't we all have quantum keys?

Distance/Loss: $\approx 300$ km
Hardware developments
Realistic device security models

One approach:
QKD receiver satellite

How to make them and how to break them

Distance →
Modeling for airborne QKD
Hardware →
Robust quantum optical components
Security models →
Novel laser damage attack on commercial system

Distance:

Getting to space is costly

Test platform candidates

Model risk assessment

GOAL:

establish a QKD link with parameters representative of a modeled, night satellite pass.

METRICS:

Link time [s] → $\approx 250$
angular velocity [˚/s] → {0.7,1.2}
Raw key rate [kHz] → $\approx 1$

Stratospheric balloons

Timmins

Visual assessment Modeled

Altitude threshold

Flight #	Timmins	Visual	Altitude
1	❌	❌	❌
2	❗	➖	➖
3	❗	➖	✔
4	❌	➖	✔
5	❌	➖	✔
6	❌	❌	❌
7	❌	❌	✔
❌	Fail (< 5 min)
❗	High risk (< 30 min)
➖	Moderate risk (< 60 min)
✔	Low risk (> 60 min)