Optical Field Encrypted Communication

Introduction

Rationale

Traditional communication systems do not prohibit clandestine interception techniques, such as passive tapping of the pulsed optical signal, nor prevent future proofing of software security protocols  against advances in computational decryption techniques.

In particular, the current terrorist threat, both real and virtual, has crystallised the need for dispersed data storage and communication centres interconnected by resilient networks incorporating highly secure communication links.

The growing awareness of the vulnerability of the information transmitted on communication systems within government, military and commercial sectors, has stimulated a number of areas of research within the optics community  to design optical hardware encryption systems that provide inherent hardware immunity against espionage techniques.

A secure optical encryption system that utilises off the shelf optical equipment and negates the necessity for an independent key distribution system with respect to the data transmission system, while  lending itself to free space adaptation and is applicable within any optical waveband, is required to satisfy market needs.

It is this goal, that the 'Optical Field Encrypted Communication' technique being commercially developed at Heriot-Watt University shall meet.