Abstract The rapid advancement of quantum computing poses a significant threat to conventional encryption methods, necessitating the development of novel communication technologies that offer enhanced security. In response to this challenge, we present a dual-layer optical communication scheme designed to ensure robust data protection in the post-quantum era. At the physical layer, security is achieved using perfect spatiotemporal optical vortices (PSTOVs), generated via Bessel beams from an ultrafast pulsed laser. Information is encoded in the beam’s spatiotemporal phase structure, which can only be deciphered through a specific interference pattern—effectively concealing the data from unauthorized access. Complementing this, a coordinated algorithm based on pre-shared knowledge between sender and receiver (Alice and Bob) governs the encoding and decoding process, adding a second layer of security independent of quantum protocols. The integration of physical-layer obfuscation via ultrafast PSTOVs with algorithmic control introduces a promising paradigm for secure, high-throughput optical communication, tailored to meet the demands of a future shaped by quantum computing capabilities.
Kupferman et al. (Tue,) studied this question.