Simulação do protocolo BB84 de criptografia quântica utilizando um feixe laser intenso

Abstract

We present a very simple experiment exploring the polarization of an intense laser beam in order to perform an emulation of a cryptographic key distribution by the well known BB84 protocol. Our work relies on the analogy between classical degrees of freedom of a laser beam and quantum states, very discussed nowadays. Our analogue of a key distribution is made by using two polarization basis, the original ingredient used by Bennet and Brassard, which allow us a direct understanding of the protocol. The experiment can be performed in didactic laboratories or can be demonstrated in a classroom. In addition, the results show a very proper ambient to discuss the difference between classical and quantum measurement of light.