The paper "Simple portable quantum key distribution for science outreach", authored by PhD Student Pedro Neto Mendes, and our researchers and professors from Instituto Superior Técnico, Paulo André and Emmanuel Zambrini Cruzeiro, is featured on the front cover of the American Journal of Physics (Vol. 93, Issue 1) in the special issue "Celebrating the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology." This work is carried out within the scope of the PTQCI project (read more), to which Instituto de Telecomunicações serves as a key scientific contributor and is a remarkable achievement for the field.
The paper presents a simple, compact, and cost-effective setup for undergraduate tutorial demonstrations of QKD. It uses weak coherent pulses, readily produced using an attenuated laser, and the simplified three-state BB84 protocol in free space, with states encoded using linear polarization. The result demonstrates the practicality of the system for free-space quantum communication, and its compact and portable nature makes it particularly suitable for pedagogical demonstrations.
The authors believe that this work paves the way for engaging undergraduate students in the field of quantum communication through hands-on laboratory projects.
The American Journal of Physics (AJP), established in 1933, is a prominent publication of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). It serves as a vital resource for college and university physics educators and students, offering a diverse range of content that enhances the teaching and understanding of physics.
Read the paper here: