Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Intrusion Detection With Quantum Mechanics: A Photonic Quantum Fence

Travis S. Humble, Ryan S. Bennink, Warren P. Grice, Israel J. Owens

Published Jan 1, 2008• 1 citation
OpenAlex

Abstract

We describe the use of quantum-mechanically entangled photons for sensing intrusions across a physical perimeter. Our approach to intrusion detection uses the no-cloning principle of quantum information science as protection against an intruder’s ability to spoof a sensor receiver using a ‘classical ’ intercept-resend attack. We explore the bounds on detection using quantum detection and estimation theory, and we experimentally demonstrate the underlying principle of entanglement-based detection using the visibility derived from polarization-correlation measurements.

Related papers

Sensing intruders using entanglement: a photonic quantum fence

Travis S. Humble, Ryan S. Bennink, Warren P. Grice +1 more

We describe the use of quantum-mechanically entangled photons for sensing intrusions across a physical perimeter. Our approach to intrusion detection uses the no-cloning principle of quantum information science as protection against an intruder's ability to spoof a sensor receiver using a 'classical' intercept-resend attack. Moreover, we employ the correlated measurement outcomes from polarization-entangled photons to protect against 'quantum' intercept-resend attacks, i.e., attacks using quantum teleportation. We explore the bounds on detection using quantum detection and estimation theory, and we experimentally demonstrate the underlying principle of entanglement-based detection using the visibility derived from polarization-correlation measurements.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Mar 24, 2009•9 citations

Tampering detection system using quantum-mechanical systems

Travis S. Humble

The use of quantum-mechanically entangled photons for monitoring the integrity of a physical border or a communication link is described. The no-cloning principle of quantum information science is used as protection against an intruder's ability to spoof a sensor receiver using a `classical` intercept-resend attack. Correlated measurement outcomes from polarization-entangled photons are used to protect against quantum intercept-resend attacks, i.e., attacks using quantum teleportation.

•Jan 23, 2023•0 citations

Intrusion Detection Quantum Sensor Networks

Marius Nagy, Naya Nagy

This paper proposes a perimeter detection scheme based on the quantum physical properties of photons. Existing perimeter intrusion detection schemes, if using light, rely on the classical properties of light only. Our quantum sensor network uses the quantum property of spatial superposition of photons, meaning that a photon can simultaneously follow two different paths after going through a beam splitter. Using multiple Mach-Zehnder interferometers, an entire web of paths can be generated, such that one single photon occupies them all. If an intruder violates this web in some arbitrary point, the entire photon superposition is destroyed, the photon does not self-interfere any more and this event is detected by measurements. For one single photon, the intruder detection probability is limited theoretically but can be increased arbitrarily with the usage of a sequence of photons. We show both theoretical bounds as well as practical results of the proposed schemes. The practical results are obtained by simulation experiments on IBM Quantum platforms. The benefits of our quantum approach are: low power, invisibility to potential intruders, scalability and easy practical implementation.

Sensors•Oct 22, 2022•1 citation

Tamper-Indicating Quantum Seal

Brian P. Williams, Keith A. Britt, Travis S. Humble

Verifying the integrity of a tamper-indicating seal is crucial in surveillance and containment technologies, as an intruder may try to hide a breach. Seals based on the no-cloning principle of quantum mechanics offer an unprecedented level of security. By monitoring the entanglement of transmitted photon pairs, the authors detect intrusion attempts with 99.99% probability, and just a 10${}^{-9}$ chance for a false alarm. In contrast, any conventional optical system would fail this test completely.

arXiv:1508.05334•Physical Review Applied•Jan 4, 2016•31 citations

Quantum Cryptography

F. J. Duarte

Quantum mechanics values highly its sovereignty and does not allow extraneous intrusions. In quantum mechanics processing we can only observe the input state and the output state. Attempts to intrude, or to ‘peek in between,’ are always successfully detected. This is the essence behind quantum cryptography and the principle of what provides robust security to quantum communications in general. Here we focus on quantum entanglement based cryptography. This methodology puts to work Bell's theorem to verify that no external intrusion has occurred. We also describe a more stringent all-quantum protocol entirely based on a measurements strategy. The chapter concludes with a description of the N -slit interferometric communications approach that reinforces understanding of the concepts that bring unprecedented security to quantum communications.

CRC Press eBooks•Apr 10, 2026•0 citations

Quantum limits to classically spoofing an electromagnetic signal

Jonathan N. Blakely, Shawn D. Pethel

Spoofing an electromagnetic signal involves measuring its properties and preparing a spoof signal that is a close enough copy to fool a receiver. A classic application of spoofing is in radar where an airborne target attempts to avoid being tracked by a ground-based radar by emitting pulses indicating a false range or velocity. In certain scenarios it has been shown that a sensor can exploit quantum mechanics to detect spoofing at the single-photon level. Here we analyze an idealized spoofing scenario where a transmitter-receiver pair, seeking to detect spoofing, utilizes a signal chosen randomly from a set of nonorthogonal, coherent states. We show that a spoofer optimally employing classical information on the state of the transmitted signal (i.e., the best measure-and-prepare strategy allowed by quantum mechanics) inevitably emits imperfect spoofs that can be exploited by the receiver to reveal the presence of the spoofer, or to discriminate between true reflections and spoofs. Importantly, we show that the quantum limitations on classical spoofing remain significant even in the large mean-photon-number regime.

arXiv:2201.09999•Physical Review Research•Jun 2, 2022•7 citations
We describe the use of quantum-mechanically entangled photons for sensing intrusions across a physical perimeter. Our approach to intrusion detection uses the no-cloning principle of quantum information science as protection against an intruder’s ability to spoof a sensor receiver using a ‘classical ’ intercept-resend attack. We explore the bounds on detection using quantum detection and estimation theory, and we experimentally demonstrate the underlying principle of entanglement-based detection using the visibility derived from polarization-correlation measurements.
We describe the use of quantum-mechanically entangled photons for sensing intrusions across a physical perimeter. Our approach to intrusion detection uses the no-cloning principle of quantum information science as protection against an intruder's ability to spoof a sensor receiver using a 'classical' intercept-resend attack. Moreover, we employ the correlated measurement outcomes from polarization-entangled photons to protect against 'quantum' intercept-resend attacks, i.e., attacks using quantum teleportation. We explore the bounds on detection using quantum detection and estimation theory, and we experimentally demonstrate the underlying principle of entanglement-based detection using the visibility derived from polarization-correlation measurements.
This paper proposes a perimeter detection scheme based on the quantum physical properties of photons. Existing perimeter intrusion detection schemes, if using light, rely on the classical properties of light only. Our quantum sensor network uses the quantum property of spatial superposition of photons, meaning that a photon can simultaneously follow two different paths after going through a beam splitter. Using multiple Mach-Zehnder interferometers, an entire web of paths can be generated, such that one single photon occupies them all. If an intruder violates this web in some arbitrary point, the entire photon superposition is destroyed, the photon does not self-interfere any more and this event is detected by measurements. For one single photon, the intruder detection probability is limited theoretically but can be increased arbitrarily with the usage of a sequence of photons. We show both theoretical bounds as well as practical results of the proposed schemes. The practical results are obtained by simulation experiments on IBM Quantum platforms. The benefits of our quantum approach are: low power, invisibility to potential intruders, scalability and easy practical implementation.
Verifying the integrity of a tamper-indicating seal is crucial in surveillance and containment technologies, as an intruder may try to hide a breach. Seals based on the no-cloning principle of quantum mechanics offer an unprecedented level of security. By monitoring the entanglement of transmitted photon pairs, the authors detect intrusion attempts with 99.99% probability, and just a 10−9{}^{-9}−9 chance for a false alarm. In contrast, any conventional optical system would fail this test completely.
Quantum mechanics values highly its sovereignty and does not allow extraneous intrusions. In quantum mechanics processing we can only observe the input state and the output state. Attempts to intrude, or to ‘peek in between,’ are always successfully detected. This is the essence behind quantum cryptography and the principle of what provides robust security to quantum communications in general. Here we focus on quantum entanglement based cryptography. This methodology puts to work Bell's theorem to verify that no external intrusion has occurred. We also describe a more stringent all-quantum protocol entirely based on a measurements strategy. The chapter concludes with a description of the N -slit interferometric communications approach that reinforces understanding of the concepts that bring unprecedented security to quantum communications.
Spoofing an electromagnetic signal involves measuring its properties and preparing a spoof signal that is a close enough copy to fool a receiver. A classic application of spoofing is in radar where an airborne target attempts to avoid being tracked by a ground-based radar by emitting pulses indicating a false range or velocity. In certain scenarios it has been shown that a sensor can exploit quantum mechanics to detect spoofing at the single-photon level. Here we analyze an idealized spoofing scenario where a transmitter-receiver pair, seeking to detect spoofing, utilizes a signal chosen randomly from a set of nonorthogonal, coherent states. We show that a spoofer optimally employing classical information on the state of the transmitted signal (i.e., the best measure-and-prepare strategy allowed by quantum mechanics) inevitably emits imperfect spoofs that can be exploited by the receiver to reveal the presence of the spoofer, or to discriminate between true reflections and spoofs. Importantly, we show that the quantum limitations on classical spoofing remain significant even in the large mean-photon-number regime.