Quantum information research promises dramatic improvements in computation speed and communication security. A quantum communication system can prevent eavesdropping, protect private data and secure national infrastructure.
As part of a NIS 7.5 million tender from the Israeli government, researchers from the Quantum Information Science Center will build a communication system at Hebrew University’s laboratories based on single photons representing quantum bits. Quantum bits enable new types of computations.
The Quantum Information Science Center was founded in 2013 and represents an interdisciplinary team of more than 20 researchers from the fields of physics, computer science, mathematics, chemistry, philosophy and engineering. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Opsys technologies, and an additional researcher from Tel Aviv University will also participate in the project.
Current methods of encrypting data are increasingly vulnerable to attack. Quantum communication systems are resistant to attack thanks to the laws of physics used for data encryption.
A detailed implementation of commercial quantum communication systems is not available to Israeli experts, and the systems are therefore not currently suitable to their needs. An Israeli implementation, subject to peer review and hack testing by Israeli scientists, is an essential element of national security.
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