2026-09-22T12:44:13Z https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/127498 2026-02-03 col_2142_5131 col_2142_8888 com_2142_5130 com_2142_8887 com_2142_234

application/pdf en text Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'Closed Access', the embargo will last until 2026-12-01 The student, Andrew Conrad, accepted the attached license on 2024-12-04 at 16:36. The student, Andrew Conrad, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2024-12-04 at 16:45. This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2024-12-06 at 09:28. DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #21505 on 2025-03-28 at 14:56:02 Quantum Key Distribution (qkd) Quantum Position Verification (qpv) Drone Vehicle eng Drone and vehicle-based quantum communication and towards practical quantum position verification Conrad, Andrew Phillip 2024-12-06 Kwiat, Paul Chitambar, Eric Choquette, Kent Bogdanov, Simeon Quantum networks offer the ability to interface quantum computers, provide secure communication, and link quantum sensors. While existing fiber-based quantum networks provide these benefits for fixed infrastructure including offices, labs, and homes, there exist a need to provide quantum advantages for platforms ``on-the-go" such as drones, vehicles, planes, ships, and space-based platforms. However, implementing quantum systems on mobile platforms is challenging since there is limited Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) available. Additionally, environmental disturbances such as platform vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and ambient light further degrade performance of quantum systems. We designed and developed a modular quantum transmitter and receiver which is platform-agnostic, allowing rapid reconfiguration between multiple platforms such as drones and cars. Our system allows free-space quantum communication between moving platforms operating outside of the lab. Specifically, we use our free-space quantum link between mobile platforms to successfully perform a first-of-its-kind demonstration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), in multiple configurations: drone-to-drone, drone-to-car, and car-to-car. We achieved a Secure Key in the finite-regime for all these link configurations. Moreover, our system is also the first demonstration of a quantum communication link of any kind between a drone-to-car, and car-to-car on any road including operation at 70 mph on a U.S. Interstate Highway. Additionally, we designed a modular system to perform entanglement distribution using mobile platforms and developed a practical Quantum Position Verification (QPV) protocol. Finally, we introduce and analyze a new type of interferometer for swapping indistinguishable particles, called a Particle Swapping Interferometer (PSI), capable of generating two-photon interference and providing an intuitive perspective of non-locality and quantum interpretations. 2024-12 Thesis https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127498 Copyright 2024 Andrew Conrad Ph.D. Dissertation University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Electrical & Computer Eng Electrical & Computer Engr