Smart quantum technologies for secure communication

The authors, PhD candidate Narayan Bhusal, postdoctoral researcher Chenglong You, graduate student Mingyuan Hong, undergraduate student Joshua Fabre, and Assistant Professor Omar S. Magaña?Loaiza of LSU -- together with collaborators Sanjaya Lohani, Erin M. Knutson, and Ryan T. Glasser of Tulane University and Pengcheng Zhao of Qingdao University of Science and Technology -- report on the potential of artificial intelligence to correct spatial modes at the single-photon level.

"The random phase distortion is one of the biggest challenges in using spatial modes of light in a wide variety of quantum technologies, such as quantum communication, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing," said Bhusal. "In this paper, we use artificial neurons to correct distorted spatial modes of light at the single-photon level. Our method is remarkably effective and time-efficient compared to conventional techniques. This is an exciting development for the future of free-space quantum technologies."

The newly developed technique boosts the channel capacity of optical communication protocols that rely on structured photons.

"One important goal of the Quantum Photonics Group at LSU is to develop robust quantum technologies that work under realistic conditions," said Magaña?Loaiza. "This smart quantum technology demonstrates the possibility of encoding multiple bits of information in a single photon in realistic communication protocols affected by atmospheric turbulence. Our technique has enormous implications for optical communication and quantum cryptography. We are now exploring paths to implement our machine learning scheme in the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative (LONI) to make it smart, secure, and quantum."

"We are still in the fairly early stages of understanding the potential for machine learning techniques to play a role in quantum information science," said Dr. Sara Gamble, program manager at the Army Research Office, an element of DEVCOM ARL. "The team's result is an exciting step forward in developing this understanding, and it has the potential to ultimately enhance the Army's sensing and communication capabilities on the battlefield."