At the crossroads of disciplines, quantum shapes the future
Quantum computing: first steps, communications security in focus
” Quantum computing is based on completely different foundations to classical computing and represents a revolution that could change the world,” comments Arnaud Dion, a teacher and researcher in embedded systems.
Quantum computing will, for example, enable the optimisation of processes such as the programmed maintenance of aircraft for companies with very large fleets, and increased reliability beyond weather forecasts, particularly for agriculture, transport and energy production. In the field of health, these developments will accelerate our understanding of diseases and improve the precision of treatments, as well as simulating increasingly complex molecules.
The second quantum revolution will rapidly revolutionise computer security as we know it today. Researchers from ISAE-SUPAERO’s Complex Systems Engineering Department have been involved for nearly 10 years in a cryptography research programme initiated by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST – USA). Launched in 2016, this campaign to standardise new algorithms has included projects submitted by ISAE-SUPAERO and its partners.
Hamming Quasi-Cyclic (HQC), a protocol developed by researchers at ISAE-SUPAERO, ENAC, the University of Limoges and other universities, has just been selected to meet the future threats posed by quantum computers. This technology will ensure the security of digital exchanges in the fields of telecommunications and sensitive networks. This choice marks a decisive turning point in the history of cryptography and places HQC at the heart of global cybersecurity.
” When quantum computers are operational in 10 to 15 years’ time, they will unlock codes in a matter of hours. If we don’t take an interest in post-quantum cryptography now, IT infrastructures could collapse overnight,” says Arnaud Dion.
The Institute is also developing a quantum computing research activity to explore space and aeronautical applications such as image analysis and orbital probe trajectography, which could be envisaged in the future.
Quantum communications networks and signal processing: research on the move
At the heart of the Electronics, Optronics and Signal Processing (DEOS) department, researchers have been working for several years on quantum telecommunications and laser links in free space. Their interest focuses on ground satellite communications, the effects of which are being modelled and quantum entanglement links are being tested.
“From an experimental point of view, we have our own satellite laser link / infra-red bench on the ground satellite links. The experiment using entangled photons, which is currently used for teaching practical work in quantum physics based on the work of Alain Aspect (winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize), will in the future be used to develop our research “, explains Angélique Rissons, professor and head of the DEOS department.
Meryem Benammar, a researcher specialising in information theory, is working on physical layer security techniques. She is particularly interested in the generation of secure keys to connect users, while ensuring their resistance to attacks and interception by spy networks.
We are developing algorithms for extracting secure communication keys that are useful in quantum key distribution (QKD) schemes,” she explains.
These codes are based on quantum sources of randomness such as entangled photons or photon polarisation, and are by construction robust to quantum computers, unlike mathematically generated keys. The practical applications of satellite-transmitted QKD schemes are large-scale, as they offer the opportunity to distribute quantum sources over long distances via optical communication links. In fact, Europe is leading major projects to develop its own quantum key distribution networks.
In terms of training, ISAE-SUPAERO, in partnership with ENSEEIHT, ENAC and INSA Toulouse, is offering 3rd year engineering students the ‘Advanced Communication Systems’ Master’s degree, one of the few courses to address the security of the physical layer for research purposes.
From basic research to collaborative projects: the next stage
At ISAE-SUPAERO, the expertise and disciplinary advances in the field of quantum physics are now making it possible to build bridges between the various specialists.
In the future, all these skills will be put to good use on cross-disciplinary subjects through applied theses in conjunction with industrial partners.
Fundamental research, which increasingly combines the sciences of telecommunications, signal processing and quantum computing, is evolving towards engineering.
ISAE-SUPAERO will have its place at the heart of these technologies!
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