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arXiv:2609.08389 · Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

A theoretical study of subcarrier-wave quantum key distribution system integration with an optical transport network utilizing dense wavelength division multiplexing

Fedor Kiselev, Natalia Veselkova, Roman Goncharov, Vladimir Egorov

quant-phphysics.opticsSubmitted Sep 8, 2026• Announced Sep 9, 2026• 4 citations
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Abstract

In this paper we study the performance of subcarrier-wave quantum key distribution (SCW QKD) in the presence of classical channels of optical transport network utilizing dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). We consider the impact of spontaneous Raman scattering noise as well as the four-wave mixing and channel isolation efficiency. We calculate quantum bit error rate as well as the secure key generation rate of SCW-QKD protocol for different parameters of DWDM system and quantum channel allocations. Our calculations show, that quantum channel allocation at the wavelength of 1310 nm is preferable to allocation at C-band due to lower nonlinear noise, despite fiber's larger attenuation at this wavelength.

Journal reference
J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 54 (2021) 135502
DOI
10.1088/1361-6455/ac076a
Comments
18 pages, 7 figures

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In this paper we study the performance of subcarrier-wave quantum key distribution (SCW QKD) in the presence of classical channels of optical transport network utilizing dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). We consider the impact of spontaneous Raman scattering noise as well as the four-wave mixing and channel isolation efficiency. We calculate quantum bit error rate as well as the secure key generation rate of SCW-QKD protocol for different parameters of DWDM system and quantum channel allocations. Our calculations show, that quantum channel allocation at the wavelength of 1310 nm is preferable to allocation at C-band due to lower nonlinear noise, despite fiber's larger attenuation at this wavelength.
In this paper we study performance of the subcarrier-wave quantum key distribution system (SCW QKD) in the presence of spontaneous Raman scattering (SpRS) noise generated by classical channels of dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network within a single-mode optical fiber. We present the mathematical model for evaluation of the quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the secure key generation rate with the SpRS noise taken into account. We consider two regimes of the SCW QKD system: the continuous wave regime that uses continuous wave laser and the pulsed regime. For these regimes, performance of the system is analyzed depending on receiver sensitivity of classical DWDM. It is found that the pulsed regime outperforms the continuous wave regime in both the secure key generation rate and the maximum achievable distance.
Theoretical research and numerical simulation of the noise influence caused by spontaneous Raman scattering, four-wave mixing, and linear channel cross talk on the performances of quantum key distribution (QKD) systems were conducted. Three types of QKD systems were considered: a coherent one-way QKD protocol, subcarrier-wave QKD system, and continuous-variable QKD integrated with classical dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) channels. We calculate the secure key generation rate for the systems mentioned addressing different channel allocation schemes (i.e., configurations). A uniform DWDM grid is considered with a quantum channel located in the C-band and O-band (at 1310 nm) of a telecommunication window. The systems’ performances are analyzed in terms of the maximal achievable distance values. Configurations for further analysis and investigation are chosen optimally, i.e., their maximal achievable distances are the best.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) can ensure information security between two remote parties. To commercialise QKD technology successfully, it should be integrated with dense wavelength division multiplexing optical transport. However, various challenges limit the QKD's performance in terms of the quantum key rate, quantum bit error rates, and maximum achievable distance. In this study, the authors discuss some of the major practical limiting factors for QKD performance such as spontaneous Raman scattering, four‐wave mixing, and amplified spontaneous emission.
Subject of study. The effect of noise resulting from spontaneous Raman scattering, four-wave mixing, and linear channel crosstalk on the performance of measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution systems with symmetric and asymmetric realizations is studied. Mathematical models of the measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution system and considered channel noise sources are presented. The secure key generation rate was calculated in all cases for assessment and subsequent analysis of the system performance. These results enabled the identification and presentation of the operation features of the measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution system upon its integration into existing fiber-optic communication networks using dense wavelength division multiplexing. Aim of the work. The performance of measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution systems integrated into fiber-optic communication lines using dense wavelength division multiplexing by means of numerical simulation is investigated. Method. An approach based on analysis of the Raman scattering cross section plot and allocation of the information channels of frequencies corresponding to areas located sideways to the pump wavelength was used to determine the optimal configurations of the allocation of quantum and information channels. A single-photon scheme in one symmetric and two asymmetric system realizations was considered for numerical simulations of the quantum key distribution system with an untrusted node. A security analysis was performed according to the Devetak–Winter bound that enables estimating the secure key generation rate in an asymptotic mode (for symmetric infinite sequences) in the presence of collective attacks in the quantum channel. Main results. It was confirmed that the implementation of measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution systems with equal paths of the sender and the receiver (i.e., symmetric) is optimal. The result deteriorated with an increase in the asymmetry parameter. If the quantum channel is within the C-band, the advantage of the symmetric realization was minimal, and it was almost indiscernible when the number of information channels was increased to 40. However, if the quantum channel was at the wavelength of 1310 nm (O band), the difference was significant. Moreover, allocation of the wavelength of 1310 nm to the quantum channel enables the longest distance of operation, and it weakly depends on the number of channels. Practical significance. For practical implementation of quantum key distribution systems, their integration into existing telecommunication infrastructure is of particular interest. This can be achieved through the simultaneous propagation of quantum and information channels in the fiber-optic communication lines by means of multiplexing, and in particular, dense wavelength division multiplexing. However, the power levels characteristic for quantum signals are significantly lower than those for information signals. Therefore, if the information and quantum channels propagate in the same fiber, the noise from the information channels significantly reduces the performance of the quantum key distribution systems. For this reason, the physical and mathematical description, analysis, and numerical simulation of the noise and its interaction with different quantum key distribution systems aimed at identifying the most effective integration method are crucial for the integration of quantum key distribution systems into existing telecommunication networks.
Integrating a quantum communication channel with classical optical communication is a cost-effective, deployment-friendly solution to provide secure data transmission over optical fibres. However, the noise introduced by intense classical signals into the quantum channel severely impacts the performance of quantum communication. This paper evaluates the impact of optical attenuation and Spontaneous Raman Scattering in the quantum communication system. A hybrid Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) and Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) solution is investigated by combining experimental and theoretical work. The optimal wavelength allocation strategy is defined.
Integrating quantum key distribution (QKD) on the existing optical fiber network through dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) can greatly reduce the costs of quantum channels and improve the scalability and flexibility of the quantum communication network. In the scenarios of an access network or local area network with a large number of users, the connected optical fibers are relatively short and the quantum signal can be adjacent to the classical channels. In this case, the four-wave-mixing noise generated by the classical lights will have a severe impact on the performance of the QKD. We establish a theoretical model to characterize the excess noise in continuous-variable QKD induced by the four-wave mixing, and experimentally demonstrate the validity of the theoretical predictions. In addition, the influence of cross-phase-modulation noise between the carrier of the quantum signal and classical data channels on the QKD is investigated. To suppress the effect of the four-wave-mixing noise, an unequal channel spacing technique is employed. We realize coexistence of entangled state-based continuous-variable QKD and five adjacent DWDM classical channels with 10 dBm launch power and nonreturn-to-zero on-off-keying modulation at 2.5 Gb/s (10 Gb/s).