Gilles Brassard

Title

Quantum Cryptography

Abstract

Quantum Cryptography is the first near-term practical application of the emerging field of quantum information processing. It allows two parties who share only a short prior secret to exchange messages with provably perfect confidentiality under the nose of an eavesdropper whose computational power is unlimited and whose technology is restricted only by the accepted laws of physics. Furthermore, quantum cryptographic techniques go well beyond this application to confi dential communications. In this talk, we shall tell the tale of the origin of Quantum Cryptography from the birth of the first idea by Wiesner in 1970 to the invention of Quantum Key Distribution a quarter of a century ago, to the first prototypes and ensuing commercial ventures, to exciting prospects for the future.