The process allows a remote user (right) to access a quantum computer in the cloud (left) in a completely secure manner. by Helene Hainzer. Copyright Oxford University Physics. Image courtesy of Helene Hainzer. Physics, University of Oxford.
The full power of next-generation quantum computing will soon be harnessed by millions of individuals and companies, thanks to breakthroughs in security and privacy guaranteed by scientists at the University of Oxford's School of Physics. This progress promises to unlock the transformative potential of cloud-based quantum computing and is detailed in a new study published in Physical Review Letters. The title of the paper is "Verifiable Blind Quantum Computing with Captured Ions and Single Photons".
Quantum computing is rapidly evolving, paving the way for new applications that have the potential to transform services in many areas such as healthcare and financial services. It works in a completely different way than traditional computing and could be more powerful. However, it currently requires controlled conditions to remain stable, and there are concerns about the authenticity of the data and the effectiveness of current security and encryption systems.
Several leading cloud service providers such as Google, Amazon, and IBM already offer some elements of quantum computing, respectively. Protecting the privacy and security of customer data is an important prerequisite for expanding the scope of its use, as well as for developing new applications as technology advances. This new study by physics researchers at the University of Oxford addresses these challenges.
"For the first time, we have demonstrated that quantum computing in the cloud can be accessed in a scalable, practical way, which will also provide people with complete security and privacy of their data, as well as the ability to verify its authenticity," said Professor David Lucas, co-head of the physics research team at the University of Oxford and chief scientist at the UK's Centre for Quantum Computing and Simulation. Led by the Department of Physics, University of Oxford.
Quantum computing experiments at the Bicroft facility at the School of Physics, University of Oxford. Image credit: David Nadlinger, Department of Physics, University of Oxford
In the new study, the researchers used a method known as "blind quantum computing," which connects two completely separate quantum computing entities in a completely secure way – possibly individuals accessing cloud servers at home or in the office. Importantly, their new approach can be scaled to large-scale quantum computing.
"With blind quantum computing, customers can access remote quantum computers, process confidential data using secret algorithms, and even verify that the results are correct without revealing any useful information. Realizing this concept is a big step forward for quantum computing and keeping our information secure online," said Dr Peter Drmota, head of research in physics at the University of Oxford.
The researchers have created a system consisting of a fiber-optic network link between a quantum computing server and a simple device that detects photons or light particles on a standalone computer that remotely accesses its cloud service. This allows for so-called blind quantum computing on the network.
Each calculation results in a correction that must be applied to all subsequent corrections and requires real-time information to conform to the algorithm. The researchers used a unique combination of quantum memory and photons to achieve this.
Peter Drmota, author of the new study, leads the Oxford University Physics Blind Quantum Computing Experiment. Image credit: Martin Small
Professor David Lucas said: "In today's age of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, the issue of data and code privacy has never been more hotly debated. "As quantum computers become more capable, people will seek to use them in a completely secure and private way on the web, and our new results mark a step forward in this capability.
The results could eventually lead to the commercial development of devices plugged into laptops to protect data while people use quantum cloud computing services.
Researchers in the School of Physics at the University of Oxford exploring quantum computing and technology have access to the state-of-the-art Bicroft Laboratory facility, which is dedicated to creating stable and safe conditions, including vibration cancellation.
更多信息：P. Drmota 等人，Verifiable Blind Quantum Computing with Trapped Ions and Single Photons，Physical Review Letters （2024）。 DOI： 10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.150604
期刊信息： Physical Review Letters