Toshiba Research Europe has demonstrated what it claims is the world’s first reliable automated quantum cryptography system.
The system, which has run continuously since it was set in motion last week, relies on single photons to transmit an untappable key over standard optical fibers, the company said. It is capable of delivering thousands of keys a second and can be effective over distances of more than 100 kilometers.
Toshiba said it is already in talks with a number of telecommunications companies and end users in preparation for the commercialization of the technology, which offers the possibility of significantly more secure networking.
“We’re talking to a number of potential end users at the minute,” said Andrew Shields, group leader of Toshiba’s Cambridge, England-based Quantum Information Group. “We’re planning to do some trials in the city of London next year and are targeting users in the financial sector. We’ve also had some interest from telcos, including MCI, with whom we’ve been running the installed fiber tests.”
Source: c|net
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