September 15, 2021

Hollow core fiber, a new type of optical fiber filled with nothing but thin air, has been found to be effective in carrying out quantum key distribution (QKD).

QKD is a security protocol that is basically not hackable and thus plays a crucial role in protecting sensitive data from increasingly complex cyber-attacks.

According to the researchers, the configuration of the hollow core fibers is more suitable for QKD because it reduces the possibility of different signals interfering with each other and disrupting the entire process.

QKD involves encrypting data into an unreadable message using a cryptography key that the recipient uses to decrypt the information. It works by encoding the cryptography key to a quantum particle known as qubit which is then sent to the other person measuring the qubit to obtain the key value.

To find ways to perform QKD operations, the researchers turned to various approaches, including the use of fiber optic cables to send both the qubits loaded with the cryptography key and the actual encrypted message.

However, the effectiveness of the protocol is limited once the traditional fiber is used.

So, the hollow core fiber is strongly favored, as light signals do not diffuse much in an air-filled channel, as there can be a clear separation between the encrypted data stream and the weak quantum signal carrying the encryption key.

For more information, read the original story in ZDNet.