Private communication with quantum cascade laser photonic chaos

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23527-9
• Publication Date: 2021-06-07T10:20:51Z
• Authors: Olivier Spitz; Andreas Herdt; Jiagui Wu; Grégory Maisons; Mathieu Carras; Chee-Wei Wong; Wolfgang Elsäßer; Frédéric Grillot
• Keywords: Free-Space Optical Communication; Secure Communication

Mid-infrared free-space optical communication has a large potential for high speed due to its immunity electromagnetic interference. However, data security against eavesdroppers is among the obstacles private communication. Here, we show that two uni-directionally coupled quantum cascade lasers operating in chaotic regime and synchronization between them allow extraction of information been camouflaged emission. This building block represents key tool implement degree privacy directly on physical layer. We realize proof-of-concept at wavelength 5.7 μm with message encryption bit rate 0.5 Mbit/s. Our demonstration transmitter receiver opens strategies decryption digital message.