Shanxi uni launches quantum encrypted communications system

Huang Guitian, vice-president of Shanxi University, makes a live video call to Wang Ling, president of the Taiyuan branch of China Everbright Bank, through the quantum encrypted video communications system. [Photo/sxu.edu.cn]

Shanxi University launched an independently developed quantum encrypted video communications system on April 12.

Huang Guitian, vice-president of SXU, made a live video call to Wang Ling, president of the Taiyuan branch of China Everbright Bank through the quantum encrypted video communications system at the ceremony -- with the signal transmission stable and smooth throughout the duration of the entire call.

Developed by SXU's state-of-the-art quantum optics and quantum optics devices lab, the system utilizes continuous key variable quantum distribution technology to realize security key distributions through a fiber linking the university and the bank, allowing the data to be encrypted and decrypted.

Each note and picture of the call is encrypted and transmitted by a security key. In principle, no one can eavesdrop on the call's information in any way, said Zhang Tiancai, vice-president of Shanxi University.

Apart from videos, information such as voice, text and pictures can also be transmitted through existing commercial optical fibers based on the system.

Experts say widespread success is approaching for the broad application of quantum encryption technology -- which offers great prospects for its commercialization in government affairs, national defense, finance and the communications sectors.

Currently, the university has succeeded in quantum encrypted transmissions at a distance of 50 kilometers and at a speed of over 100 Kilobits per second and SXU has been researching and developing a quantum encrypted network.