Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2507.03529 · European Conference on Optical Communication

Short Blocklength Error Correction Codes for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution

Kadir Gümüş, João Frazão, Boris Škorić, Gabriele Liga, Aaron Albores-Mejía, Thomas D. Bradley, Chigo M. Okonkwo

Published Sep 28, 2025• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We introduce a two-step error correction scheme for reconciliation in continuous-variable quantum key distribution systems. Using this scheme, it is possible to use error correction codes with small blocklengths (1000 bits), increasing secret key rates at a distance of 140km by up to 7.3 times.
DOI
10.1109/ecoc66593.2025.11263296

Related papers

Information Reconciliation for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution with $β> 1$ Using Short Blocklength Error Correction Codes: Proposal and Concerns

Kadir Gümüş, João Frazão, Aaron Albores-Mejía +5 more

In this paper, we introduce a reconciliation protocol with a two-step error correction scheme that uses a short-blocklength, low-rate code and a long-blocklength, high-rate code. We simulate the protocol using a short-block-length low-density parity-check code and show that we can achieve reconciliation efficiencies above 1 using this method. We discuss the necessary steps required regarding security proofs before this protocol can be securely implemented.

arXiv:2409.13667•Sep 20, 2024•0 citations

Information Reconciliation for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution With $\beta > 1$ Using Short Blocklength Error Correction Codes: Proposal and Open Security Questions

Kadir Gümüş, João Frazão, Aaron Albores-Mejía +5 more

Journal of Lightwave Technology•Jan 1, 2026•0 citations

Information reconciliation of continuous-variables quantum key distribution: principles, implementations and applications

Shenshen Yang, Zhilei Yan, Hongzhao Yang +5 more

Abstract Quantum key distribution (QKD) can provide information-theoretically secure keys for two parties of legitimate communication, and information reconciliation, as an indispensable component of QKD systems, can correct errors present in raw keys based on error-correcting codes. In this paper, we first describe the basic knowledge of information reconciliation and its impact on continuous variable QKD. Then we introduce the information schemes and the corresponding error correction codes employed. Next, we introduce the rate-compatible codes, the hardware acceleration of the reconciliation algorithm, the research progress of information reconciliation, and its application in continuous variable QKD. Finally, we discuss the future challenges and conclude.

EPJ Quantum Technology•Oct 6, 2023•36 citations

Long-distance continuous-variable quantum key distribution with a Gaussian modulation

Paul Jouguet, Sébastien Kunz-Jacques, Anthony Leverrier

We designed high-efficiency error correcting codes allowing us to extract an errorless secret key in a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) protocol using a Gaussian modulation of coherent states and a homodyne detection. These codes are available for a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios on an additive white Gaussian noise channel with a binary modulation and can be combined with a multidimensional reconciliation method proven secure against arbitrary collective attacks. This improved reconciliation procedure considerably extends the secure range of a CVQKD with a Gaussian modulation, giving a secret key rate of about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ bit per pulse at a distance of 120 km for reasonable physical parameters.

arXiv:1110.0100•Physical Review A•Dec 21, 2011•273 citations

Practical Methods for Distance-Adaptive Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution

Jonas Berl, Utku Akin, Erdem Eray Cil +2 more

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) is a promising quantum-safe alternative to classical asymmetric cryptography that enables two authenticated parties to establish a shared secret over a potentially eavesdropped quantum channel. A key step in CV-QKD post-processing is information reconciliation, which leverages forward error correction (FEC) techniques to extract identical bit strings from noisy correlated data. In this work, we analyze the strict limitations on operating distance that are imposed by constant-rate FEC, severely limiting the practicability of CV-QKD systems in deployed optical networks. To overcome the distance limitations, we evaluate three strategies: (i) tuning modulation variance, (ii) adding controlled amounts of trusted detector loss, and (iii) the use of rate-adaptive FEC. All approaches are validated experimentally, compared in terms of performance, and we discuss implementation aspects. Our results show that while methods (i) and (ii) extend the operational distance of constant-rate FEC without the need for additional hardware components, they incur a significant penalty in secret key rate (SKR). In contrast, rate-adaptive FEC enables CV-QKD operation with performance close to the asymptotic SKR over a wide range of distances, provided that the reconciliation efficiency is chosen appropriately.

quant-pharXiv:2603.10480•Journal of Lightwave Technology•Mar 12, 2026•0 citations

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution with low-complexity information reconciliation

Xiangyu Wang, Hongjie Wang, Chao Zhou +3 more

Information reconciliation is an essential step of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) because its efficiency affects both the maximum transmission distance and the final secret key rate of the whole system. Slice reconciliation can achieve high secret key rates for the CV-QKD systems under high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). However, it suffers from the high designing cost of the error-correcting codes in the multi-level coding and multi-stage decoding step. To reconcile one set of data with fixed SNR, multiple error-correcting codes with different code rates need to be designed. If the channel environment changed, the code rates need to change along to maintain high reconciliation efficiency, making it complicated and costly. In this paper, we introduce polar codes into slice reconciliation and proposed a scheme that is simply constructed, effectively performed, and well adapted to the systems with wide-range and variational SNRs. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme offers reconciliation efficiency over 95% for the systems with SNRs range from 1 to 10, which can support the systems with high secret key rates. The decrease of complexity and the increase of secret key rate have great significance for a practical CV-QKD system.

Optics Express•Jul 21, 2022•32 citations
Information Reconciliation for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution with β>1β> 1β>1 Using Short Blocklength Error Correction Codes: Proposal and Concerns
Information Reconciliation for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution With β>1\beta > 1β>1 Using Short Blocklength Error Correction Codes: Proposal and Open Security Questions
Abstract Quantum key distribution (QKD) can provide information-theoretically secure keys for two parties of legitimate communication, and information reconciliation, as an indispensable component of QKD systems, can correct errors present in raw keys based on error-correcting codes. In this paper, we first describe the basic knowledge of information reconciliation and its impact on continuous variable QKD. Then we introduce the information schemes and the corresponding error correction codes employed. Next, we introduce the rate-compatible codes, the hardware acceleration of the reconciliation algorithm, the research progress of information reconciliation, and its application in continuous variable QKD. Finally, we discuss the future challenges and conclude.
We designed high-efficiency error correcting codes allowing us to extract an errorless secret key in a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) protocol using a Gaussian modulation of coherent states and a homodyne detection. These codes are available for a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios on an additive white Gaussian noise channel with a binary modulation and can be combined with a multidimensional reconciliation method proven secure against arbitrary collective attacks. This improved reconciliation procedure considerably extends the secure range of a CVQKD with a Gaussian modulation, giving a secret key rate of about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ bit per pulse at a distance of 120 km for reasonable physical parameters.
Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) is a promising quantum-safe alternative to classical asymmetric cryptography that enables two authenticated parties to establish a shared secret over a potentially eavesdropped quantum channel. A key step in CV-QKD post-processing is information reconciliation, which leverages forward error correction (FEC) techniques to extract identical bit strings from noisy correlated data. In this work, we analyze the strict limitations on operating distance that are imposed by constant-rate FEC, severely limiting the practicability of CV-QKD systems in deployed optical networks. To overcome the distance limitations, we evaluate three strategies: (i) tuning modulation variance, (ii) adding controlled amounts of trusted detector loss, and (iii) the use of rate-adaptive FEC. All approaches are validated experimentally, compared in terms of performance, and we discuss implementation aspects. Our results show that while methods (i) and (ii) extend the operational distance of constant-rate FEC without the need for additional hardware components, they incur a significant penalty in secret key rate (SKR). In contrast, rate-adaptive FEC enables CV-QKD operation with performance close to the asymptotic SKR over a wide range of distances, provided that the reconciliation efficiency is chosen appropriately.
Information reconciliation is an essential step of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) because its efficiency affects both the maximum transmission distance and the final secret key rate of the whole system. Slice reconciliation can achieve high secret key rates for the CV-QKD systems under high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). However, it suffers from the high designing cost of the error-correcting codes in the multi-level coding and multi-stage decoding step. To reconcile one set of data with fixed SNR, multiple error-correcting codes with different code rates need to be designed. If the channel environment changed, the code rates need to change along to maintain high reconciliation efficiency, making it complicated and costly. In this paper, we introduce polar codes into slice reconciliation and proposed a scheme that is simply constructed, effectively performed, and well adapted to the systems with wide-range and variational SNRs. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme offers reconciliation efficiency over 95% for the systems with SNRs range from 1 to 10, which can support the systems with high secret key rates. The decrease of complexity and the increase of secret key rate have great significance for a practical CV-QKD system.