The Current State of QKD and Its Limited Connection to Qubits
0Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to securely share cryptographic keys. However, unlike quantum computing, which uses qubits (quantum bits) for computation, QKD is primarily concerned with enhancing communication security. As a result, its connection to NISQ (Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum) and FTQC (Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing) is relatively limited.
Currently, the development and deployment of QKD are progressing worldwide. China has successfully demonstrated long-distance QKD using its quantum communication satellite, Micius. In Europe, the EuroQCI project is working on establishing QKD-based infrastructure. In Japan, companies like NTT and institutions like the University of Tokyo are actively researching QKD improvements. Meanwhile, in the U.S., private companies and research institutions are also developing quantum networks.
QKD is expected to be widely adopted in financial institutions and government agencies to enhance security. However, challenges remain, such as the high cost of equipment and the limitations on transmission distance. Further technological advancements will be necessary to fully realize the potential of quantum-secure communication.