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arXiv:2001.02555 · Physical Review Letters

Long-Distance Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution over 202.81 km of Fiber

Yichen Zhang, Ziyang Chen, Stefano Pirandola, Xiangyu Wang, Chao Zhou, Binjie Chu, Yijia Zhao, Bingjie Xu, Song Yu, Hong Mei Guo

Published Jun 30, 2020• 429 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Quantum key distribution provides secure keys resistant to code-breaking quantum computers. The continuous-variable version of quantum key distribution offers the advantages of higher secret key rates in metropolitan areas, as well as the use of standard telecom components that can operate at room temperature. However, the transmission distance of these systems (compared with discrete-variable systems) are currently limited and considered unsuitable for long-distance distribution. Herein, we report the experimental results of long distance continuous-variable quantum key distribution over 202.81 km of ultralow-loss optical fiber by suitably controlling the excess noise and employing highly efficient reconciliation procedures. This record-breaking implementation of the continuous-variable quantum key distribution doubles the previous distance record and shows the road for long-distance and large-scale secure quantum key distribution using room-temperature standard telecom components.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.125.010502

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Quantum key distribution provides secure keys resistant to code-breaking quantum computers. The continuous-variable version of quantum key distribution offers the advantages of higher secret key rates in metropolitan areas, as well as the use of standard telecom components that can operate at room temperature. However, the transmission distance of these systems (compared with discrete-variable systems) are currently limited and considered unsuitable for long-distance distribution. Herein, we report the experimental results of long distance continuous-variable quantum key distribution over 202.81 km of ultralow-loss optical fiber by suitably controlling the excess noise and employing highly efficient reconciliation procedures. This record-breaking implementation of the continuous-variable quantum key distribution doubles the previous distance record and shows the road for long-distance and large-scale secure quantum key distribution using room-temperature standard telecom components.
Abstract The continuous-variable version of quantum key distribution (QKD) offers the advantages (over discrete-variable systems) of higher secret key rates in metropolitan areas, as well as the use of standard telecom components that can operate at room temperature. An important step in the real-world adoption of continuous-variable QKD is the deployment of field tests over commercial fibers. Here we report two different field tests of a continuous-variable QKD system through commercial fiber networks in Xi’an and Guangzhou over distances of 30.02 km (12.48 dB) and 49.85 km (11.62 dB), respectively. We achieve secure key rates two orders-of-magnitude higher than previous field test demonstrations by employing an efficient calibration model with one-time evaluation. This accomplishment is also realized by developing a fully automatic control system which stabilizes system noise, and by applying a rate-adaptive reconciliation method which maintains high reconciliation efficiency with high success probability in fluctuated environments. Our results pave the way for the deployment of continuous-variable QKD in metropolitan settings.
Quantum cryptography founded on the laws of physics could revolutionize the way in which communication information is protected. Significant progresses in long-distance quantum key distribution based on discrete variables have led to the secure quantum communication in real-world conditions being available. However, the alternative approach implemented with continuous variables has not yet reached the secure distance beyond 100 km. Here, we overcome the previous range limitation by controlling system excess noise and report such a long distance continuous-variable quantum key distribution experiment. Our result paves the road to the large-scale secure quantum communication with continuous variables and serves as a stepping stone in the quest for quantum network.
Summary form only given. Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) is a promising alternative to commonly used discrete-variable QKD protocols, because this technology can be implemented with standard telecom components and recent results suggest that it will be compatible with standard wavelength division multiplexed telecommunication networks [1]. Security proofs against general eavesdropping attacks are available for CVQKD protocols using Gaussian modulation [2], and field implementations over deployed telecommunication networks have been demonstrated over the past few years [3].Long-distance operation of CVQKD systems, however, has been hindered until now by the limited efficiency of the complex error-correction (or reconciliation) algorithms that are required to extract the secret key from the correlated data shared by Alice and Bob. We have designed high-efficiency error correcting-codes [4] allowing to extract an errorless secret key in a CVQKD protocol using a Gaussian modulation of coherent states and a homodyne detection system. These codes are available for a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios on a Gaussian noise channel with a binary modulation and can be combined with a multidimensional reconciliation method [5]. This improved reconciliation procedure considerably extends the secure range of a continuous-variable quantum key distribution with Gaussian modulation.
We experimentally demonstrate a high-rate discretely modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution over 80-km standard single-mode fiber with a 2.5 Gbaud, 16-symbol, two-ring constellation. With the help of well-designed digital signal processing algorithms, the excess noise of the system can be effectively suppressed. The achieved secret key rates are 49.02 Mbits/s, 11.86 Mbits/s, and 2.11 Mbits/s over 25-km, 50-km, and 80-km optical fiber, respectively, and achieve 67.4%, 70.0%, and 66.5% of the secret key rate performance of a Gaussian-modulated protocol. Our work shows that it is feasible to build a high-performance, long-distance continuous-variable quantum key distribution system with only a small constellation size.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables two remote parties to share encryption keys with security based on the laws of physics. Continuous-variable (CV) QKD with coherent states and coherent detection integrates well with existing telecommunication networks. Thus far, long-distance CV-QKD has only been demonstrated using a highly complex scheme where the local oscillator is transmitted, opening security loopholes for eavesdroppers and limiting potential applications. Here, we report a long-distance CV-QKD experiment with a locally generated local oscillator over a 100-kilometer fiber channel with a total loss of 15.4 decibels. This record-breaking distance is achieved by controlling the phase noise-induced excess noise through a machine learning framework for carrier recovery and optimizing the modulation variance. We implement the full CV-QKD protocol and demonstrate the generation of keys secure against collective attacks in the finite-size regime. Our results mark a substantial milestone for realizing CV quantum access networks with a high loss budget and pave the way for large-scale deployment of secure QKD.
Integrating quantum key distribution (QKD) with classical data transmission over the same fiber is crucial for scalable quantum-secured communication. However, noise from classical channels limits QKD distance. We demonstrate the longest-distance continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD) over 120 km (20 dB loss) in the asymptotic regime, and over 100 km (17 dB loss) in the finite-size regime, both coexisting with a fully populated coarse wavelength division multiplexing system. Natural mode filtering of the local oscillator and phase noise mitigation enabled this without additional filtering or wavelength reallocation. Benchmarking against a commercial discrete-variable QKD system and considering finite-size effects confirms the feasibility of CV-QKD as a plug-and-play solution for typical 80-100 km long-haul optical networks. Our results set a record fiber distance for CV-QKD, showing its potential for cost-effective, large-scale deployment in existing network infrastructure.