Quantum secure authentication: R&D into hardware and control protocols.
Within the national program for Quantum Technology (Quantum Delta NL), an important task has been reserved for training students and researchers for the upcoming industry. As part of this effort, the research group Applied Nanotechnology has set up an applied research lab, where the latest quantum technologies can be studied and further developed. Here we propose an exciting (graduation) internship opportunity for bachelor and master students in our applied quantum lab.
Quantum-Secure Authentication (QSA) is a new method for verifying the identity of objects or people in a highly secure way. It uses a special key that cannot be copied due to quantum principles. The authentication involves shining a light on the key and checking the pattern of the reflected light. This process is secure because an attacker can’t fully understand the light used for authentication, making it impossible to create a fake key digitally. QSA doesn’t rely on keeping data secret, doesn’t require complex math, and is easy to use with existing optical technology. In this project, you will work on such a quantum photonic setup, and will try to perform QSA measurement protocols as well as optimization of the setup in order to be applied in a real world setting. The internship will be conducted at the Saxion research group Applied Nanotechnology and the Quantum Talent and Learning Centre (within the Quantum Delta NL) in collaboration with the Pepijn Pinkse group at the UT. This internship would furthermore allow getting familiar with the regional and national quantum ecosystems.
Project duration:
Start: January-February 2025
End: June-July 2025
Educational programs:
– Applied Physics (TN),
– Electrical Engineering (ET)
– Applied Computer Science (TI)
Interested, please send your motivation letter and brief introduction/CV to Dr. Tjeerd Bollmann (t.r.j.bollmann@saxion.nl)