Faculty Research Update - Gauthier and Boyd receive Grant for Quantum Communication Study

Faculty Research Update -  Gauthier and Boyd receive Grant for Quantum Communication Study

Prof. Daniel Gauthier (Duke Physics) and Prof. Robert Boyd (Institute of Optics, University of Rochester) have just been awarded a grant to study quantum communication protocols that encode information in the transverse profile of an optical beam. Specifically, they are investigating encoding information in the orbital angular momentum degrees of freedom of a beam, with the goal of reliable transmission of more than one bit of information per photon. Also, they are investigating whether these protocols are more robust to atmospheric turbulence encountered in free-space quantum communication networks. The project, entitled "Entanglement of Photon Orbital Angular Momentum (EPOAM)," is funded by the Defense Sciences Office (DSO) of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), with a total funding of $299,997 over 9 months.