̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Ian White

Quantum leap

sc604 — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 16:17:34 +0000

When buying an item online, we voluntarily hand over our credit card information. But how do we know that it’s safe? Most sensitive information sent over the internet is secured through encryption, a process that converts information into a code that can only be unlocked by those with the encryption key. Currently, encryption keys are essentially impossible to break with conventional computing equipment – it would simply take too long and too much computing power to do the mathematical calculations that could reveal the key.

But in the coming decades, all that could change. Google, IBM and many other companies are all working to build a quantum computer that would outperform contemporary computers by taking advantage of the ability of subatomic particles to exist in more than one state at a time. A quantum computer could enable us to make calculations and solve problems that are well out of reach of even the most powerful supercomputers, but in the wrong hands, they could also crack encryption keys with relative ease.

So how can individuals, corporations and governments keep information safe in the face of this potential threat?

A group of researchers in Cambridge’s Department of Engineering are working to defend against the security threats posed by quantum computers by developing ‘unhackable’ encryption keys hidden inside particles of light, or photons, and sent over optical fibres.

Quantum keys are generated randomly through quantum mechanics, taking advantage of a property of photons that prevents them being cloned. ̽��ֱ��real strength of quantum links, however, is that if an attacker attempts to intercept the key, the quantum state of the photons changes and they cannot be used as part of the key, rendering the information carried by the stolen photons worthless.

“This means that we can send single photons over our networks and end up with keys at each end which are fundamentally secure,” says Professor Ian White, Head of the Photonics group in Cambridge’s Department of Engineering.

In June 2018, White and his colleagues Professor Richard Penty and Dr Adrian Wonfor started putting these ideas into practice with the launch of the UK’s first quantum network. ̽��ֱ��‘metro’ network provides secure quantum communications between the ̽��ֱ��’s Electrical Engineering Division in West Cambridge, the city centre and Toshiba Research Europe Ltd (TREL) on the Cambridge Science Park. It was built with corporate partners including ADVA and Toshiba.

̽��ֱ��network has since been extended and connected to other sites around the country, including BT’s research and development centre in Ipswich, and is currently being extended to the National Physical Laboratory in London and the ̽��ֱ�� of Bristol, creating the first UK quantum network.

̽��ֱ��quantum network is a project of the Quantum Communications Hub, a consortium of eight UK universities led by the ̽��ֱ�� of York, as well as private sector companies and public sector stakeholders. It’s funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme.

“This network provides us with a UK facility where we can test ideas that until now have been research-based, and to get users used to the concepts behind quantum communications so they can translate this technology into practice,” says Penty. “There’s a world of difference between transmitting quantum keys over a coil of fibre in the lab and actually putting it in the ground.”

̽��ֱ��network has the highest quantum key rate in the world. This secures a data network in Cambridge that runs at roughly five times the capacity of the entire ̽��ֱ�� network, and the link to BT in Ipswich operates at five times that again. ̽��ֱ��link to BT is comparable with the highest data capacity links in the UK, and has the possibility for scale-up in future.

“For us, it’s really important to get this right as it’s our first chance to start doing very detailed studies and see how these systems really work in the field,” says White. “This is only the start, however.”

In addition to the continued growth and development of the quantum network, the researchers are also investigating other ways that quantum technology could be used to secure information. For example, instead of counting individual photons, it could be possible to measure the amplitude and phase properties of pulses. “This way, you could use a type of hardware that’s not so different from conventional networks, so it would dramatically reduce the cost,” says Wonfor. “In theory, this would represent a huge step towards commercialising quantum technology, because it would effectively rely on technology that people are already used to.”

̽��ֱ��researchers are also looking at turning the entire concept on its head, and instead of relying on quantum mechanics for encryption key distribution, it could be used as a type of quantum alarm. In this scenario, the quantum signal would be in the background, buried inside a classical data signal, and would detect when an intruder attempts to break into the fibre.

“At the moment, it’s not easy to detect whether someone is tapping into the actual fibre, but with this kind of system working at the level of single photons, it would be much easier to do,” says Penty.

Another possibility is that of an entirely optical quantum-secured network. ̽��ֱ��Cambridge researchers have been developing optical switches that work with quantum signals so that everything stays in the optical domain. “Effectively, this would mean that quantum IP routers should be possible, a concept that is now testable thanks to the quantum network,” says Wonfor.

So where else might quantum encryption be used? According to White, it could go into space. At the moment, quantum keys can be distributed up to a maximum distance of approximately 100 km of fibre, which is why the quantum network is built on a series of nodes, with a new quantum key being generated at each node. This setup works well in urban areas with a high number of users but is not ideal for rural areas with few users. It also makes it impractical to send a quantum link across the Atlantic.

“An interesting movement within the field of quantum communications is to start involving satellites so that you could produce a quantum communications link for two remote sites,” says White. These satellites would work in parallel with fibre networks, sending quantum links to one of the trusted nodes within the network, where they could be managed, stored and distributed as needed.

̽��ֱ��Cambridge group, along with several other academic and industrial collaborators, have recently secured several parallel funding bids from Innovate UK to develop both lower cost terrestrial and space-based quantum communications.

“ ̽��ֱ��main thrust of all of this work has been to develop technologies that can be commercialised and put into regular use,” says White. “Cybersecurity is such an important issue, and we think that the laws of physics can be used to make our data transmission as secure as possible.”

Cambridge researchers are devising new methods to keep sensitive information out of the hands of hackers. They launched the UK’s first ‘unhackable’ network – made safe by the “laws of physics” – in 2018.

It’s really important to get this right as it’s our first chance to start doing very detailed studies and see how these systems really work in the field

Ian White

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright © ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – as here, on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

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Cambridge launches UK’s first quantum network

sc604 — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 10:46:23 +0000

̽��ֱ��‘metro’ network provides secure quantum communications between the Electrical Engineering Division at West Cambridge, the Department of Engineering in the city centre and Toshiba Research Europe Ltd (TREL) on the Cambridge Science Park.

Quantum links are so secure because they rely on particles of light, or photons, to transmit encryption keys through the optical fibre. Should an attacker attempt to intercept the communication, the key itself changes through the laws of quantum mechanics, rendering the stolen data useless.

Researchers have been testing the ultra-secure network for the last year, providing stable generation of quantum keys at rates between two and three megabits per second. These keys are used to securely encrypt data, both in transit and in storage. Performance has exceeded expectations, with the highest recorded sustained generation of keys in field trials that include encryption of data in multiple 100-gigabit channels.

̽��ֱ��Cambridge network is a project of the Quantum Communications Hub, a consortium of eight UK universities, as well as private sector companies and public sector stakeholders. ̽��ֱ��network was built by Hub partners including the ̽��ֱ��’s Electrical Engineering Division and TREL, who also supplied the Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems. Further input came from ADVA, who supplied the optical transmission equipment, and the ̽��ֱ��’s Granta Backbone Network, which provided the optical fibre.

̽��ֱ��UK Quantum Network is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme. It brings together concentrations of research excellence and innovation, facilitating greater collaboration between the two in development of applications that exploit the unique formal guarantee of security provided by quantum physics.

“Through this network, we can further improve quantum communications technologies and interoperability, explore and develop applications and services, and also demonstrate these to potential end users and future customers,” said Professor Timothy Spiller of the ̽��ֱ�� of York, and Director of the Quantum Communications Hub.

“ ̽��ֱ��development of the UK Quantum Network has already led to a much greater understanding of the potential of this technology in secure applications in a range of fields, in addition to bringing new insights into the operation of the systems in practice,” said Professor Ian White from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering. “I have no doubt that the network will bring many benefits in the future to researchers, developers and users.”

“Working with the Quantum Communications Hub, Cambridge and ADVA has allowed us to develop an interface for delivering quantum keys to applications,” said Dr Andrew Shields, Assistant Director of Toshiba Research Europe Ltd. “In the coming years, the network will be an important resource for developing new applications and use cases.”

“Development of the network has brought together in the Quantum Communications Hub partnership many world-class researchers and facilities from both UK universities and industry,” said Dr Liam Blackwell, Head of Quantum Technologies at EPSRC. “This is a reflection of EPSRC’s commitment to investing in UK leadership in advanced research and innovation in quantum technologies.”

̽��ֱ��UK’s first quantum network was launched today in Cambridge, enabling ‘unhackable’ communications, made secure by the laws of physics, between three sites around the city.

̽��ֱ��development of the UK Quantum Network has already led to a much greater understanding of the potential of this technology in secure applications in a range of fields.

Ian White

Christopher Burns

Fiber Optic

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Professor Stephen Toope appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge

ts657 — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 14:47:13 +0000

Professor Toope is Director of the ̽��ֱ�� of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and formerly served as president and vice-chancellor of the ̽��ֱ�� of British Columbia.

He is a scholar specialising in human rights, international dispute resolution, international environmental law, the use of force, and international legal theory with degrees in common law (LLB) and civil law (BCL) with honours from McGill ̽��ֱ�� (1983). Professor Toope is also an alumnus of Trinity College Cambridge, where he completed his PhD in 1987.

He graduated from Harvard with a degree (AB) in history and literature in 1979. He has published articles and books on change in international law, and the origins of international obligation in international society.

Professor Toope also represented Western Europe and North America on the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances from 2002-2007.

Cambridge has carried out an international search for the position of Vice-Chancellor and the Search Committee was headed up by the Master of Jesus College, Professor Ian White.

Professor White said: “This appointment builds on seven years of Sir Leszek’s visionary leadership. Professor Toope has impeccable academic credentials, a longstanding involvement with higher education, strong leadership experience and an excellent research background.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz says, “We are delighted to be welcoming a distinguished leader with such an outstanding record as a scholar and educator to lead Cambridge.”

Professor Toope says, “I am thrilled to be returning to this great university. I look forward to working with staff and students in the pursuit of academic excellence and tremendous international engagement – the very mark of Cambridge.”

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz will continue to lead the ̽��ֱ�� until Professor Toope takes up his post on 1 October 2017.

Today (7 October), international law scholar and university leader Professor Stephen Toope was appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge. Professor Toope will take over from Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz on 1 October 2017.

I am thrilled to be returning to this great university. I look forward to working with staff and students in the pursuit of academic excellence and tremendous international engagement – the very mark of Cambridge.

Professor Stephen Toope

̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge

International law scholar and university leader Professor Stephen Toope

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. For image use please see separate credits above.

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Enhancing CAPE-abilities in photonics and electronics

tdk25 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

̽��ֱ��fast-expanding advanced photonics and electronics field is dominated globally by large, often non-European, industrial operations capable of investing tens of billions of dollars in research and development. This creates certain challenges, as Professor Bill Milne, Head of the Electrical Engineering Division, explained: " ̽��ֱ��problem in Cambridge and the UK is how do you stay involved, engage with global players and maintain a competitive edge in an industry when the bulk of investment is being made elsewhere?" ̽��ֱ��Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics (CAPE), which Professor Milne directs, is Cambridge’s answer: a unique way of working with industry involving an equal partnership between the ̽��ֱ�� and a small group of key industrial companies.

Strategic Partners

CAPE, based in a purpose-built building at the West Cambridge Site and housed within the Department of Engineering’s Electrical Engineering Division, is now four years into its five-year strategic agreement and has attracted international attention as a model of university–industry collaboration. ̽��ֱ��two current Strategic Partners are the Japanese company ALPS Electric Company Ltd and the US-based company Dow Corning, with Carl Zeiss SMT as an Associate Member.

An important remit was that the industrial partners be global players with a wide geographical spread and should represent non-overlapping areas of the supply chain (ALPS makes electronic components and Dow Corning is a materials supplier). "Without this we couldn’t hope to have sufficient oversight of the market," explained Professor Bill Crossland, CAPE Chairman, "and the fact that Strategic Partners were not in competition enabled us to develop the degree of trust and readiness to share strategy and road-mapping that was needed."

An imperative from the outset was that CAPE would not be about contract research – instead, the partnership is focused on inventing and developing materials, processes, components and systems that will have a major, long-term impact in photonics and electronics through research effectively jointly commissioned within the partnership.

Uniquely, the governance of CAPE through its Steering Committee is shared between the academic and industrial partners with precisely equal votes. Through CAPE’s Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), ownership of intellectual property is retained within the ̽��ֱ�� and the industrial partners benefit from preferential licensing. Through this model of closed partnership, the intention is to provide the best and most rapid route of linking breakthrough research to market implementation.

Looking forwards

Getting CAPE off the ground required initial funding of £10 million, raised entirely from its industrial partners (which originally also included Marconi as a founding member), and CAPE remains self-funded. As the Steering Committee now looks forward to the next five years, it recognises the importance of building on this successful partnership, aiming to expand back to four, or perhaps five, Strategic Partners whose business interests retain the cross-supply-chain nature of CAPE. Provision is also made for CAPE Associate companies in special areas of technology; the involvement of Carl Zeiss SMT as CAPE Associate for Electron Beam Imaging has been particularly successful. ̽��ֱ��SPA already allows for ‘Third-Party’ projects with companies outside CAPE, which may become important in the recent CAPE initiative on the role of electronics and photonics in the sustainability of the built environment.

Innovation to commercialisation

CAPE’s success has been instrumental in allowing Electrical Engineering to bid successfully to create the Cambridge Integrated Knowledge Centre (CIKC), funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Dr Terry Clapp, one of the CAPE founders and CIKC Director, explained: "Although the CIKC works very differently to CAPE – it’s an open partnership funded with government agency money – the two are highly complementary, with the CIKC providing an integral role in moving proof-of-principle research carried out in CAPE on to the prototyping stage." Professor Milne added: "CAPE and the CIKC effectively represent the two poles of how academia can interact with industry. Together, they enable cutting-edge research to be effectively and quickly transferred for the benefit of society."

This highly successful model is bringing results: two ground-breaking projects have reached important milestones in their development (see side panels). Professor Ian White, CIKC’s Principal Investigator and also Head of the School of Technology and Head of Photonics Research in Electrical Engineering, explained: "These projects are excellent examples of CAPE technologies that have been originated, researched and patented in the ̽��ֱ��, licensed to our partner companies, and are now being prototyped under the CIKC."

Projecting the future

Imagine a projector the size of a credit card, capable of showing real-time images and expending the minimum of energy. This is the goal of a flagship project at CAPE in partnership with ALPS Electric.

Conventional projectors take a small brightly illuminated image of a scene and then make it larger by projecting it onto a screen. Because the small image absorbs most of the light that illuminates it, the process is extremely energy expensive.

̽��ֱ��idea behind the Video Holographic Projection Display System (ViHPS) is to represent the image to be projected by a completely transparent, computer-generated, liquid crystal hologram – it blocks no light, instead representing the image by delaying the light as it passes through. ̽��ֱ��advantage of these projections is that they reduce the power consumption and the size of the projector, making micro-projectors possible.

Recent developments are creating a new market for highly portable micro-projectors that can be integrated into mobile phones, personal digital assistants and laptop computers.

̽��ֱ��facilities for assembling prototype micro-display for holographic projectors have been built up in CAPE with the support of the CIKC. Early tests are now being carried out in ALPS UK on a miniature full-colour projector that will be demonstrated at the ALPS Show in Tokyo in September 2008.

'Within CAPE, our UK engineers engage with renowned academics in Group-funded research, creating new business opportunities for our UK operations.'

Peter Woodland

Managing Director, ALPS Electric (UK) Ltd

Displaying the future

Reflective colour displays that can open up the world of ‘electronically controlled print’ are a grand challenge for the display industry. A CAPE project in collaboration with Dow Corning has electronic posters within its sights.

Flat-panel liquid crystal display panels such as television screens have finally displaced the cathode ray tube, and the industry is now worth more than $100 billion per year. A large market sector for the display industry lies with street furniture – everything from advertising billboards to displays of public information. But, as yet, no current display technology can challenge good-quality print. To be able to deliver the size and the reflective viewing characteristics of printed media, current proposals are turning to electronic ‘e’-ink.

At CAPE, the SiLC project is based on the use of smectic A liquid crystals and coloured dyes. This is a true e-ink technology; one electrica

l pulse colours the liquid crystal ink and a second pulse clears it. Pictures can remain for many years with no electrical power feeding them.

‘Our partnership with CAPE helps Dow Corning accelerate our technology development efforts and provides access to other potential business opportunities.'

Dan Futter

Executive Director for Dow Corning's

Business & Technology Incubator

For more information about CAPE, please visit www-cape.eng.cam.ac.uk

A unique model of industrial-academic partnership is demonstrating how UK R&D can stay ahead of the game in a rapidly moving electronics market.

CAPE and the CIKC effectively represent the two poles of how academia can interact with industry. Together, they enable cutting-edge research to be effectively and quickly transferred for the benefit of society.

Bill Milne

Mark Mniszko

CAPE

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