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Special Seminar
Quantum-secured clock synchronisation using polarisation entangled photons
Ben Sparkes, Defence Science and Technology Group
Location: Halpern 114
Synopsis
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) provide accurate time and positioning information, which is essential for the operation of navigation systems, communication networks and electricity grids. However, the radio signals transmitted from GPS satellites to receivers can be spoofed, resulting in false time and position information being sent to the GPS receiver.
Protocols using the time-correlation properties of entangled photon pairs have been proposed as a means of providing verified time synchronisation with sub-nanosecond precision. Here we will present an experimental demonstration of quantum-secured clock synchronisation using polarisation-entangled photon pairs transmitted over a free-space link over a three-day period. We also investigate the effect of interference – including signal blockage, distance alteration, polarisation rotation and added noise - on the clock synchronisation protocol.
Dr Ben Sparkes - Bio
Ben is currently the Acting Discipline Lead for Quantum Communications within Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). Ben obtained his PhD in quantum memories for light from the Australian National University in 2013. Following that, he undertook a McKenzie Fellowship at the University of Melbourne and an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Fellowship at the University of Adelaide. Since leaving academia and joining the Quantum Technologies Group at DSTG in 2020, Ben has worked on a number of quantum communications, timing and sensing projects, including the development and deployment of next-generation optical atomic clocks on a Royal New Zealand Navy vessel as part of the international Rim of the pacific naval exercises in Hawaii in 2022. Other career highlights include spending three months working at Columbia University in New York City in 2019 on a Fulbright Future Scholarship, and being named the South Australian Tall Poppy of the Year in 2018.