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arXiv:2106.10194 · Physical Review Applied

Near-Maximal Two-Photon Entanglement for Optical Quantum Communication at 2.1μm

Adetunmise C. Dada, Jędrzej Kaniewski, Corin B. E. Gawith, Martin P. J. Lavery, Robert H. Hadfield, Daniele Faccio, Matteo Clerici

Published Nov 30, 2021• 11 citations
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Abstract

The 2- to 2.5-$\ensuremath{\mu}$m waveband enjoys reduced solar background and low propagation losses in the atmosphere and hollow-core optical fibers. However, harnessing these advantages for optical quantum communications has proved challenging due to a lack of suitable quantum light sources and detectors. The authors demonstrate in this waveband a source of entangled photons that is suitable for generating secure keys for quantum key distribution, and provide device-independent certification of the entanglement. These results are promising for the future implementation of device-independent secure optical quantum communications in daylight.

DOI
10.1103/physrevapplied.16.l051005

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The 2- to 2.5-\ensuremathμ\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremathμm waveband enjoys reduced solar background and low propagation losses in the atmosphere and hollow-core optical fibers. However, harnessing these advantages for optical quantum communications has proved challenging due to a lack of suitable quantum light sources and detectors. The authors demonstrate in this waveband a source of entangled photons that is suitable for generating secure keys for quantum key distribution, and provide device-independent certification of the entanglement. These results are promising for the future implementation of device-independent secure optical quantum communications in daylight.
Near-maximal two-photon entanglement for quantum communications at 2.1 μ\muμm
Owing to a reduced solar background and low propagation losses in the atmosphere, the 2- to 2.5-μ\muμm waveband is a promising candidate for daylight quantum communication. This spectral region also offers low losses and low dispersion in hollow-core fibers and in silicon waveguides. We demonstrate for the first time the capability for entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) at 2.1 μ\muμm, obtaining a positive secure-key rate (0.417 bits/pair, with a quantum bit error rate of 5.43%) using near-maximally entangled photon pairs in a proof-of-principle device-independent QKD scenario.
Entanglement-based quantum key distribution (e-QKD) is a cornerstone of quantum-secure communication, offering advantages in device-independent security, compatibility with quantum networks, and resilience to specific attacks. While the probabilistic nature of entangled photon generation has slowed down experimental adoption compared to prepare-and-measure approaches, deterministic solid-state emitters—particularly epitaxial quantum dots (QDs)—have recently emerged as promising candidates for scalable, high-rate implementations. In this review, we survey the main e-QKD protocols along with their practical requirements and assess current technologies for entangled photon pair generation. We place particular emphasis on the state of the art in QD-based entangled photon sources, analyzing design strategies and performance metrics that directly impact secure key generation. Recent experimental advances demonstrating entanglement distribution and e-QKD with QDs over both fiber and free-space channels are discussed in detail. We conclude with an outlook on remaining challenges in source engineering, transmission capacity, and system integration, highlighting the potential of QDs to enable next-generation quantum communication technologies.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is at the heart of future secure quantum communication networks as it can enhance security of classical communication strategies. Although prepare-and-measure protocols are the most widely used in practical applications, entangled-based QKD is promising for further improving the degree of security and developing free-trusted node networks. However, free-space link implementations for single photon transmission suffer daylight operations and few works have been demonstrated in this regime. Furthermore, entangled-based QKD in air link has been demonstrated only using spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) sources and never tested using quantum dot devices, despite they potentially overcome SPDC performances in terms of effi-ciency and fidelity of the QKD protocol.
Abstract Entanglement-based quantum key distribution can enable secure communication in trusted node-free networks and over long distances. Although implementations exist both in fiber and in free space, the latter approach is often considered challenging due to environmental factors. Here, we implement a quantum communication protocol during daytime for the first time using a quantum dot source. This technology presents advantages in terms of narrower spectral bandwidth—beneficial for filtering out sunlight—and negligible multiphoton emission at peak brightness. We demonstrate continuous operation over the course of three days, across an urban 270 m-long free-space optical link, under different light and weather conditions.
Quantum-enhanced optical systems operating within the 2- to 2.5-μm spectral region have the potential to revolutionize emerging applications in communications, sensing, and metrology. However, to date, sources of entangled photons have been realized mainly in the near-infrared 700- to 1550-nm spectral window. Here, using custom-designed lithium niobate crystals for spontaneous parametric down-conversion and tailored superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, we demonstrate two-photon interference and polarization-entangled photon pairs at 2090 nm. These results open the 2- to 2.5-μm mid-infrared window for the development of optical quantum technologies such as quantum key distribution in next-generation mid-infrared fiber communication systems and future Earth-to-satellite communications.