The development of next-generation cryptographic communication technology called "quantum cryptography" is underway to improve the security of communications such as the Internet, but the development of signal processing methods that are indispensable for the realization of low-cost and compact devices. In addition, the research group of the University of Tokyo has succeeded for the first time in the world, and expectations are high for the spread of quantum cryptography communication.
In communications such as the Internet, various data are encrypted and exchanged, but when the "quantum computer", which goes far beyond supercomputers, is put into practical use in earnest, the encryption currently used will become easier. It may be decrypted.
For this reason, in theory, the development of next-generation cryptographic communication technology called "quantum cryptography", which is said to be absolutely unbreakable, is underway, and in Japan, Toshiba started commercialization last year. Leading the world.
Currently, the technology that has been put into practical use is a method of communicating by placing a signal on light particles called photons, but in order to handle extremely small particles, it is necessary to keep the environment at a negative temperature, which is expensive for equipment. It costs money.
Under these circumstances, the research group at the University of Tokyo uses a special function to process signals to use the waves of light that have passed through an optical fiber at room temperature without using photons, giving the same strength to cryptography. For the first time in the world, we have demonstrated that we can have it.
Professor Masato Koashi of the University of Tokyo, who conducted the research, said, "This method makes it possible to develop low-cost and compact devices. I think it will give momentum to the spread of quantum cryptography communication with high security." I am.
This research result was published in the British scientific journal "Nature Communications" published on the 13th.
Expected to be used for data communication of private companies
By using the method discovered this time that can maintain the cryptographic strength of quantum cryptography communication even at room temperature, it is possible to develop a compact device at low cost, not only for exchanging national information such as military information, but also for private companies. It is expected that it can also be used for data communication.
For example, in the field of industrial laser machining machines, by incorporating AI = artificial intelligence, we are developing technology that learns data such as the temperature and shape of materials to be precision machined and automatically finds the optimum processing method. However, such learning data has become an important industrial secret, and it is expected that quantum cryptography communication, which can ensure high security, will be introduced.