Quantum Key Distribution with Entanglement-Swapped Photons from a Quantum Emitter
Michele B. Rota, Francesco Basso Basset, Alessandro Laneve, Francesco Salusti, Nicolas Claro-Rodriguez, Giuseppe Ronco, Mattia Beccaceci, Tobias M. Krieger, Quirin Buchinger, Saimon F. Covre da Silva, Sandra Stroj, Mariia Gumberidze, Vladyslav Usenko, Sven Höfling, Tobias Huber-Loyola, Mario A. Usuga Castaneda, Armando Rastelli, Klaus D. Jöns, Rinaldo Trotta
quant-phSubmitted Oct 2, 2026• Announced Oct 5, 2026• 0 citations
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a fundamental functionality of quantum networks. Extending its range requires quantum repeaters, a technology still under development and not yet demonstrated in combination with quantum cryptographic protocols. Here, we address the elementary operation of a viable quantum repeater scheme by evaluating whether correlated photons distributed via entanglement swapping can support secret key distribution. We employ a state-of-the-art deterministic photon source based on a strain-tuned GaAs quantum dot embedded in a photonic cavity and implement a source-independent QKD protocol between two nodes using entanglement-swapped photons. We benchmark the system and present how high-resolution temporal post-selection can enable secure key exchange, with further rate improvements expected through realistic device and protocol optimizations. Due to its compatibility with a wide range of quantum memory platforms, our approach represents a significant step towards long-distance quantum-safe communication.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a fundamental functionality of quantum networks. Extending its range requires quantum repeaters, a technology still under development and not yet demonstrated in combination with quantum cryptographic protocols. Here, we address the elementary operation of a viable quantum repeater scheme by evaluating whether correlated photons distributed via entanglement swapping can support secret key distribution. We employ a state-of-the-art deterministic photon source based on a strain-tuned GaAs quantum dot embedded in a photonic cavity and implement a source-independent QKD protocol between two nodes using entanglement-swapped photons. We benchmark the system and present how high-resolution temporal post-selection can enable secure key exchange, with further rate improvements expected through realistic device and protocol optimizations. Due to its compatibility with a wide range of quantum memory platforms, our approach represents a significant step towards long-distance quantum-safe communication.
This paper investigates a novel approach to enhancing cryptographic key distribution using entanglement swapping. Current quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols are often limited by distance due to signal loss and decoherence during the direct transmission of entangled photons. This research proposes a protocol that overcomes these limitations by employing entanglement swapping, effectively extending the range of secure key exchange. The core of the method involves strategically swapping entangled pairs to create correlated states between distant parties, circumventing the need for direct transmission over long distances. Mathematical formulations detailing the protocol's key steps, including the quantum operations and measurement outcomes, are presented. The analysis demonstrates a pathway towards significantly increasing the practical range of QKD systems, offering a potential solution for secure communication over greater distances. The theoretical framework presented here lays the groundwork for future experimental implementations and further optimization of entanglement swapping protocols for enhanced QKD performance.
The feasibility of trust-free long-haul quantum key distribution (QKD) is addressed. We combine measurement-device-independent QKD, as an access technology, with a quantum repeater setup, at the core of future quantum communication networks. This will provide a quantum link none of whose intermediary nodes need to be trusted, or, in our terminology, a trust-free QKD link. As the main figure of merit, we calculate the secret key generation rate when a particular probabilistic quantum repeater protocol is in use. We assume the users are equipped with imperfect single photon sources, which can possibly emit two single photons, or laser sources to implement decoy-state techniques. We consider apparatus imperfection, such as quantum efficiency and dark count of photodetectors, path loss of the channel, and writing and reading efficiencies of quantum memories. By optimizing different system parameters, we estimate the maximum distance over which users can share secret keys when a finite number of memories are employed in the repeater setup.
The feasibility of trust-free long-haul quantum key distribution (QKD) networks is addressed. We combine measurement-device-independent QKD (MDI-QKD), as an access technology, with a quantum repeater setup, at the core of future quantum communication networks. This will provide a quantum link none of whose intermediary nodes need to be trusted, or, in our terminology, a trust-free QKD link. As the main figure of merit, we calculate the secret key generation rate when a particular probabilistic quantum repeater protocol is in use. We assume the users are equipped with imperfect single photon sources, which can possibly emit two single photons, or laser sources to implement decoy-state techniques. We consider apparatus imperfection, such as quantum efficiency and dark count of photodetectors, path loss of the channel, and writing and reading efficiencies of quantum memories. By optimizing different system parameters, we estimate the maximum distance over which users can share secret keys when a finite number of memories are employed in the repeater setup.
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.
Abstract The realization of a functional quantum repeater is one of the major research goals in long-distance quantum communication. Among the different approaches that are being followed, the one relying on quantum memories interfaced with deterministic quantum emitters is considered as one of the most promising solutions. In this work, we focus on the hardware to implement memory-based quantum-repeater schemes that rely on semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) for the generation of polarization entangled photons. Going through the most relevant figures of merit related to efficiency of the photon source, we select significant developments in fabrication, processing and tuning techniques aimed at combining high degree of entanglement with on-demand pair generation, with a special focus on the progress achieved in the representative case of the GaAs system. We proceed to offer a perspective on integration with quantum memories, both highlighting preliminary works on natural–artificial atomic interfaces and commenting a wide choice of currently available and potentially viable memory solutions in terms of wavelength, bandwidth and noise-requirements. To complete the overview, we also present recent implementations of entanglement-based quantum communication protocols with QDs and highlight the next challenges ahead for the implementation of practical quantum networks.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has opened a new avenue for secure communication, by allowing one to distribute a random secret key between two users that are connected through a public channel without revealing information to unauthorized parties. If a message is encrypted with the one time pad (a well-known crytography algorithm) using secret keys created by QKD, then the ciphertext is information-theoretically secure and thus unbreakable for adversaries. Despite its unprecedented security, loss in the physical channel has prevented QKD from being used over distances beyond a few hundred kilometers. Fortunately, quantum repeaters have opened a path for long-distance QKD by providing a means to establish entanglement between distant users. The goal of this thesis has been to develop a source of entangled photon pairs that is suitable for quantum repeaters and then use it to test some of the fundamental building blocks of a quantum repeater : the heralded creation of entangled photons by means of entanglement swapping with properties that allow interfacing with optical quantum memories; the reversible mapping of quantum states from members of entangled photon pairs in and out of solid-state quantum memories; two-photon interference and a Bell state measurement with photons recalled from separate quantum memories. The demonstration of these key ingredients of a quantum repeater constitutes a significant step towards the establishment of entanglement over hundreds of kilometer distance, and hence long-distance QKD.