by Devashish Tupkary, University of Waterloo, Canada

Abstract:

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is one of the most mature and exciting applications of quantum information science, offering a information-theoretically secure method for establishing cryptographic keys between distant parties. In this talk, I will introduce the fundamentals of QKD — what it is, what security guarantees it provides, and the principles that underlie these guarantees. The emphasis will be on the theoretical foundations of security: we will see how quantum mechanics enables protection against even adversaries with unbounded computational power.