March 23, 2023

By: Dr. Chandrasekhar Radhakrishnan and Chitrang Negi

“If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don’t understand quantum mechanics”. – Richard Feynman

Although quantum mechanics is ambiguous, today we are in an era where we can use its principles to revolutionize the way we compute, sense, communicate, and secure data. Quantum technologies leverage quantum mechanical properties for practical applications. Companies are now conducting partnership programs with universities that transform science into technological applications in turn creating specialized job roles for the future.This blog is a practical guide to begin and grow your career in quantum technology.

Everything we see around us can be described by the laws of classical physics (Newton’s laws of physics). The atomic scale, however, reveals that nuclear particles operate differently. This is where quantum physics comes in, which explains how such particles work. These quantum particles have some properties that are not found in classical particles. Quantum technologies leverage quantum mechanical properties for practical applications. Early quantum technology discovered its application in lasers, semiconductors, MRIs, fiber optic cables, etc.

These technologies are identified as Quantum 1.0, which relied on quantum effects like spin, tunneling, etc., and are the products of the first quantum revolution.

We have begun our journey in the second quantum revolution. The technologies in this era use quantum communication network phenomena such as superposition and entanglement. Modern quantum technologies are broadly categorized as quantum computing, quantum communications, quantum sensing technology, and quantum materials. Amongst these, quantum communication was the first to be developed and is currently the most mature technology.

There are many constituents of quantum communication. Some prominent ones are Quantum Key Distribution, also known as QKD technology, quantum encryption, or quantum cryptography. Other applications include quantum clock synchronization, quantum teleportation, quantum networking, and quantum internet. Industry, governments, and enterprises are attracted to quantum communication due to its inherent capability to transmit messages in a highly secure way that is not susceptible to eavesdroppers.

McKinsey predicts that the market valuation of quantum communication technology is expected to reach around USD 8 billion by 2030. With the increase in demand for safeguarding sensitive information, quantum communication will offer significant growth opportunities across multiple verticals. Consumers, businesses, and governments are willing to pay a premium for quantum communication-based security features.

In the coming years, quantum communication network experts are expected to be in high demand. To capitalize on this opportunity, our existing workforce must be continuously upskilled. To gain a foundational understanding, one needs to be familiar with several disciplines, such as programming, mathematics, and physics, mainly quantum mechanics.

Getting to know the constituents of Quantum Communication

If two parties were to exchange sensitive information over a long distance, their communication channel would be susceptible to interception, whether undersea cables, satellite communications, fiber optic cables, or cellular networks. But this is not the case with a quantum communication network.

If the parties communicate via a quantum channel, any attempt at eavesdropping will fail due to our ability to monitor the channels at the single photon level. In this way, quantum communication can give us provable security.

Quantum communication technology has been demonstrated for decades in labs, and now the underlying components of the technology have become so advanced that it is now being commercialized. Below are its constituents.

Quantum key distribution – QKD technology helps secure communication between two parties by securely delivering the encryption keys. The communication technique exchanges cryptographic keys verifiably, ensuring security by utilizing aspects of quantum physics. With new networks and businesses offering commercial Quantum Key Distribution solutions, QKD is starting to be used more frequently in a commercial context.

Fig.1: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG) – Random numbers are the foundation upon which cryptography is built. Secure online communication relies on the generation of unpredictable random digits. There are many ways to generate random numbers, one of which is Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG). The advantage of using QRNG for generating random numbers is that it is based on provably random quantum processes.

Quantum teleportation – Quantum teleportation is a method for sending information from a quantum transmitter at one point to a quantum receiver located at the other point. The properties of quantum entanglement are used to send information encoded in the spin state between the observer and receiver without physically moving the involved particle. The usefulness of quantum teleportation lies in its ability to send quantum information far distances without exposing quantum states to environmental noise.

Quantum clock synchronization – Currently, networks rely on GPS for their timing references, but it has limited accuracy. On the other hand, quantum clock synchronization exploits the femtosecond level correlations between pairs of entangled photons to provide a more accurate timing reference than the GPS.

Quantum internet – It is a system of interconnected quantum computers that use quantum signals to send information rather than radio waves. Quantum internet would complement the current system of interconnected classical computers. Quantum internet would help scientists and quantum computers remotely to simulate quantum physics experiments. Also, it can be used by government and private entities to send information securely through quantum encryption and cryptography.

Fig.3: Quantum Internet (Source: Phys.org)

Quantum cryptography – Data is encrypted and protected using cryptography so that only those with the proper secret key may decrypt it. In contrast to conventional cryptographic systems, quantum cryptography uses physics rather than mathematics as the primary component of its security concept.

Post-quantum cryptography – Post-quantum cryptography refers to cryptographic algorithms that are expected to be secure against a cryptanalytic attack by a quantum computer. It aims to create cryptographic systems resistant to quantum and conventional computers and compatible with already-existing networks and communications protocols.

Quantum safe networks – A fully developed fault-tolerant quantum computer could break the current encryption safeguards. Quantum safe networks are communication networks secured by quantum cryptography.

You can explore more about the depiction of quantum communication on LTIMindtree Crystal Technology Radar.

Some industry use cases of Quantum Communication

Banking & Financial Services (BFS)

Protecting sensitive client information and safeguarding critical business data in the banking and financial services industries – Start-ups have demonstrated the use of quantum communication in data security applications. They have utilized techniques such as QRNG (Quantum Random Number Generation) and QKD technology. Quantum keys can also be used to encrypt credit cards.

Government & defense

Protecting classified and sensitive data in the government and defense industry – Companies have started providing quantum key generation and management solutions for governments, as well as advanced QKD solutions for long-term data protection secured against future attacks by quantum computers.

Healthcare

Protecting sensitive data in Remote Data Centers (RDCs) – For the transfer of sensitive data, including patient records that include names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, and clinical records, healthcare institutions also need extremely trustworthy networks.

Space industry

Secured Satellite Communication through Quantum Communication – The near-term applications of quantum communication in space include secure satellite communication, potent new sensors, and precise timing synchronization. In the long term, there is demand for space-qualified quantum technology for which various software & hardware integrators collaborate closely with business partners and governments for its development.

Career opportunities in Quantum Communication

As we have seen, quantum communication network has multiple applications. Industries and governments worldwide have started adopting it. There are partnership programs between universities and companies that translate science into technological applications.

Many quantum-based graduation and post-grad programs are launched worldwide, some of which are sponsored by the industry. For instance, the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, has launched an undergraduate degree in quantum engineering. IIT-Madras, under its research center, the Centre for Quantum Information, Communication and Computing (CQuICC), has launched post-graduate programs and specialized courses for quantum science and technology. As part of such courses, the students would have to undertake a research project which would be based on the industry partners.

The government of India has launched programs, such as Quantum Enabled Science and Technology (QuST)National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NMQTA). It has planned an outlay of over USD 1 billion over the next five years. Programs under NMQTA have a five-to-seven-year goal of developing about 25,000 human resources across software, hardware, and allied tech.

There would be many specialized roles for which companies would be hiring in the future, such as quantum algorithm experts. Those companies will also search for non-quantum positions requiring a science background, such as test and measurement engineers, data scientists, cryogenics scientists, and circuit designers. Companies would also be providing their employees with on-the-job training, and they would expect them to learn on the job.

As the industry matures, companies will move away from a master’s degree or a Ph.D. toward bachelor’s level talent. Companies would also look for non-quantum skills, such as photonics and how we generate photons, for quantum communication. Additionally, companies look for practical skills, such as laboratory and experimental experience, programming knowledge, and the capacity to collaborate across disciplines.

Essential skills for getting started with Quantum Communication

Here are the key areas to help you get started in quantum communication.

Programming – You will be required to have basic programming knowledge to develop algorithms. Some companies demand specialization in quantum algorithm generation, while others demand non-quantum skills such as electronics and software development. Python is currently used in today’s quantum era. To get started in quantum programming, python should be your number 1 priority. As most of the libraries developed by software providers are based on python, it is essential to use it to program quantum systems.

Mathematics – Linear algebra enables quantum systems to work its magic. To build quantum algorithms, you must have a thorough understanding of linear algebra. Probability theory is another area of mathematics heavily involved in quantum systems.

Communication systems – We will deploy quantum communications alongside our classical wireless and fiber optic communication systems. Understanding the basics of communications systems will enhance our ability to deploy these hybrid quantum-classical systems.

Quantum mechanics – It is important to understand quantum mechanics, as most quantum systems are based on these principles. Phenomenons such as superposition and entanglement govern the inner workings of quantum systems. Knowledge of these concepts will help in developing and working on quantum technologies.

Conclusion

If young professionals wish to venture into the field of quantum communication, it is vital that they are aware of growing topics and follow the developments closely. The quantum communication industry requires developing highly specialized skills in coding and managing the infrastructure. Developing talent with knowledge of various disciplines is very critical. Companies would be hiring people for skills not limited to quantum but also for competencies such as software, electronics, and business acumen.

Delve into the world of Quantum Communication by visiting Solving-with-Quantum