Quantum Hacking on an Integrated Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution System via Power Analysis

In quantum key distribution (QKD), there are some security loopholes opened by the gaps between the theoretical model and the practical system, and they may be exploited by eavesdroppers (Eve) to obtain secret key information without being detected. This is an effective quantum hacking strategy that seriously threatens the security of practical QKD systems. In this paper, we propose a new quantum hacking attack on an integrated silicon photonic continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) system, which is known as a power analysis attack. This attack can be implemented by analyzing the power originating from the integrated electrical control circuit in state preparation with the help of machine learning, where the state preparation is assumed to be perfect in initial security proofs. Specifically, we describe a possible power model and show a complete attack based on a support vector regression (SVR) algorithm. The simulation results show that the secret key information decreases with the increase of the accuracy of the attack, especially in a situation with less excess noise. In particular, Eve does not have to intrude into the transmitter chip (Alice), and may perform a similar attack in practical chip-based discrete-variable quantum key distribution (DVQKD) systems. To resist this attack, the electrical control circuit should be improved to randomize the corresponding power. In addition, the power can be reduced by utilizing the dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) technology.     

Scattering in Terms of Bohmian Conditional Wave Functions for Scenarios with Non-Commuting Energy and Momentum Operators

Without access to the full quantum state, modeling quantum transport in mesoscopic systems requires dealing with a limited number of degrees of freedom. In this work, we analyze the possibility of modeling the perturbation induced by non-simulated degrees of freedom on the simulated ones as a transition between single-particle pure states. First, we show that Bohmian conditional wave functions (BCWFs) allow for a rigorous discussion of the dynamics of electrons inside open quantum systems in terms of single-particle time-dependent pure states, either under Markovian or non-Markovian conditions. Second, we discuss the practical application of the method for modeling light–matter interaction phenomena in a resonant tunneling device, where a single photon interacts with a single electron. Third, we emphasize the importance of interpreting such a scattering mechanism as a transition between initial and final single-particle BCWF with well-defined central energies (rather than with well-defined central momenta).     

The Quantum Regularization of Singular Black-Hole Solutions in Covariant Quantum Gravity

An excruciating issue that arises in mathematical, theoretical and astro-physics concerns the possibility of regularizing classical singular black hole solutions of general relativity by means of quantum theory. The problem is posed here in the context of a manifestly covariant approach to quantum gravity. Provided a non-vanishing quantum cosmological constant is present, here it is proved how a regular background space-time metric tensor can be obtained starting from a singular one. This is obtained by constructing suitable scale-transformed and conformal solutions for the metric tensor in which the conformal scale form factor is determined uniquely by the quantum Hamilton equations underlying the quantum gravitational field dynamics.     

远距离三原子量子纠缠特性与其应用

三原子分别被束缚在用光纤环形连接单侧泄漏微光学腔场中,在微腔中输入激光驱动场和施加局域激光场,利用输入-输出技术及绝热近似理论,推导出一维Ising链模型的有效哈密顿量,该哈密顿量表明该系统会诱导出三原子中的任意两原子纠缠及三原子纠缠,用伴随数(concurrence)度量两原子纠缠,用内禀纠缠度量三原子纠缠,通过数值计算,给出两原子和三原子纠缠随时间演化曲线,通过适当调控激光驱动场和局域激光场,在远距离三原子中任意两原子实现未知量子态的隐形传送。     

基于改进U-Net的量子点STM图像分割

为提升量子点图像分割精度,降低特征识别误差,提出一种基于改进U-Net的量子点图像分割方法.首先,在预处理阶段,设计了以色彩通道为权值的灰度化算法,以提升后续分割效果.其次,在STM图像分割部分,在原始U-Net结构上引入中间过渡层以均衡网络各层特征.而后,建立数据集,并通过实验对比不同分割算法的精确度、召回率、F-measure.最后,将分割算法应用于量子点的特征识别,并测试了不同分割方式对应用的影响.实验结果显示,改进灰度化方法保留细节信息丰富,明显提升了量子点分割精度;改进U-Net的平均精确率、召回率、F-measure相较原始网络分别提升了13.83%、2.16%、8.13%.同时,实验数据表明由于分割精度的提升,量子点数量、纵横比等特征参数的识别更加精确.     

Synthesis of graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots from miscanthus via ultrasound-assisted mechano-chemical cracking method

Whilst graphene materials have become increasingly popular in recent years, the followed synthesis strategies face sustainability, environmental and quality challenges. This study proposes an effective, sustainable and scalable ultrasound-assisted mechano-chemical cracking method to produce graphene oxide (GO). A typical energy crop, miscanthus, was used as a carbon precursor and pyrolysed at 1200 °C before subjecting to edge-carboxylation via ball-milling in a CO₂-induced environment. The resultant functionalised biochar was ultrasonically exfoliated in N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and water to form GOs. The intermediate and end-products were characterised via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses. Results show that the proposed synthesis route can produce good quality and uniform GOs (8–10% monolayer), with up to 96% of GOs having three layers or lesser when NMP is used. Ultrasonication proved to be effective in propagating the self-repulsion of negatively-charged functional groups. Moreover, small amounts of graphene quantum dots were observed, illustrating the potential of producing various graphene materials via a single-step method. Whilst this study has only investigated utilising miscanthus, the current findings are promising and could expand the potential of producing good quality graphene materials from renewable sources via green synthesis routes.     

Currents in a Quantum Nanoring Controlled by Non-Classical Electromagnetic Field

Quantum ring accommodating interacting spin-less fermions threaded by magnetic flux with a non-classical component added to a static, inducing persistent current, is considered. It is investigated how current flowing in the ring becomes affected by a state of non-classical flux and how Coulomb interaction between fermions influences entanglement of quantum ring and the driving field. In particular it is shown that in an absence of decoherence and under certain conditions fermion–fermion interaction is necessary for a ring–field entanglement to occur.     

Anisotropic exciton Stark shift in hemispherical quantum dots

The exciton Stark shift and polarization in hemispherical quantum dots(HQDs) each as a function of strength and orientation of applied electric field are theoretically investigated by an exact diagonalization method. A highly anisotropic Stark redshift of exciton energy is found. As the electric field is rotated from Voigt to Faraday geometry, the redshift of exciton energy monotonically decreases. This is because the asymmetric geometric shape of the hemispherical quantum dot restrains the displacement of the wave function to the higher orbital state in response to electric field along Faraday geometry. A redshift of hole energy is found all the time while a transition of electron energy from this redshift to a blueshift is found as the field is rotated from Voigt to Faraday geometry. Taking advantage of the diminishing of Stark effect along Faraday geometry, the hemispherical shapes can be used to improve significantly the radiative recombination efficiency of the polar optoelectronic devices if the strong internal polarized electric field is along Faraday geometry.     

Quantum computation and simulation with vibrational modes of trapped ions

Vibrational degrees of freedom in trapped-ion systems have recently been gaining attention as a quantum resource,beyond the role as a mediator for entangling quantum operations on internal degrees of freedom, because of the large available Hilbert space. The vibrational modes can be represented as quantum harmonic oscillators and thus offer a Hilbert space with infinite dimensions. Here we review recent theoretical and experimental progress in the coherent manipulation of the vibrational modes, including bosonic encoding schemes in quantum information, reliable and efficient measurement techniques, and quantum operations that allow various quantum simulations and quantum computation algorithms. We describe experiments using the vibrational modes, including the preparation of non-classical states, molecular vibronic sampling, and applications in quantum thermodynamics. We finally discuss the potential prospects and challenges of trapped-ion vibrational-mode quantum information processing.