Lectures

Frontiers in Science Lecture Series

The Los Alamos National Laboratory Fellows Present:
The Frontiers in Science Public Lecture Series

Free Admission ... Bring a friend!

Quantum cryptography - using physics to keep secrets safe

Richard J. Hughes
Applied Modern Physics
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

Anyone who uses a credit card, computer, or smartphone relies on cryptography—the science of secret communications—many times a day. The story of cryptography is a centuries-long struggle between code-makers and code-breakers, but the new technology of quantum cryptography is poised to tip the scales in favor of the code-makers by harnessing the quantum properties of single particles of light (photons). This talk will explain the basic principles of cryptography and quantum mechanics, and will describe how research at LANL employs fundamental laws of physics to address security challenges in our increasingly networked world.

Four presentations in northern New Mexico:

Tuesday, July 10 at 7 p.m.
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque
map

Thursday, July 12 at 7 p.m.
James A. Little Theater
New Mexico School for the Deaf
1060 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe
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Tuesday, July 17 at 7 p.m.
Taos Convention Center
120 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos
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Wednesday, July 18 at 7 p.m.*
Thursday, August 2 at 7 p.m.
Duane W. Smith Auditorium
Los Alamos High School, Los Alamos
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*Frontiers in Science apologizes for failing to hold this talk on Wednesday, July 18. The speaker has generously agreed to give a rescheduled talk on Thursday, August 2.