Sandia National Laboratories T-QUAKE (Transceiver for Quantum Keys and Encryption) miniaturizes all of the components necessary to securely encode, transmit, receive and decode quantum photonic signals onto a single microchip, in effect creating an ultra-secure cryptographic network node for any secure communication or network application.
T-QUAKE, which won a 2016 R&D 100 award, accomplishes what bench-scale quantum encryption systems do but at one millionth the scale, on a chip roughly 3 mm x 5 mm and weighing less than an ounce. Because of the ability to mass fabricate microchips using traditional CMOS techniques, T-QUAKE also dramatically reduces costs. Current quantum communication laboratory systems have a price point greater than $100,000 for one transmitter-receiver system. T-QUAKE is capable of offering quantum information security to billions of people and, like the transistor at the advent of a nationwide telephone network, it’s envisioned that the quantum key distribution transceiver will be a pillar of future, guaranteed-secure online networks, medical records repositories and banking systems.
Each year for more than 50 years, R&D Magazine has honored the 100 best innovations in research and development. We are currently accepting applications for the 2017 R&D 100 Awards. Innovators with an exceptional product developed between January 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 should apply. Submissions close April 14, 2017
For information on the 55th Annual R&D 100 Awards and to enter visit http://www.rd100conference.com
