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AIP conference proceedings

Entanglement and Wavelength Division Multiplexing for Quantum Cryptography Networks

Gilles Brassard A

Published Jan 1, 2004• 11 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We describe how optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) can be used to build a fibre‐based network allowing many users to communicate in a secure fashion using quantum key distribution (QKD). In the simplest implementation, a certain number of trusted relays are necessary when the network gets large. However, we also show that, by using entangled QKD, trusted relays are not necessary for metro‐distance networks, and their required number is cut in half for global networks. We also report on a successful demonstration of the proposed architecture over a fibre link of 10 km with the plug&play configuration, which uses weak pulses of light and a Faraday mirror to compensate for the errors introduced by the fibre. The average interference visibility per user is 99.6 ± 0.2% (27 ± 2 dB). This guarantees the feasibility of the proposed WDM architecture.

DOI
10.1063/1.1834445

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We describe how optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) can be used to build a fibre‐based network allowing many users to communicate in a secure fashion using quantum key distribution (QKD). In the simplest implementation, a certain number of trusted relays are necessary when the network gets large. However, we also show that, by using entangled QKD, trusted relays are not necessary for metro‐distance networks, and their required number is cut in half for global networks. We also report on a successful demonstration of the proposed architecture over a fibre link of 10 km with the plug&play configuration, which uses weak pulses of light and a Faraday mirror to compensate for the errors introduced by the fibre. The average interference visibility per user is 99.6 ± 0.2% (27 ± 2 dB). This guarantees the feasibility of the proposed WDM architecture.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows authenticated communicating entities to generate and distribute random keys with security guaranteed by the principles of quantum mechanics. Usually, the deployment of optical fibre-based QKD links requires a dark fibre for the quantum channel of the QKD link. However, the availability of dark fibre is scarce for field deployments and involves higher capital expenses. In this paper, we propose a QKD solution where the quantum channel and classical channel of the QKD link are multiplexed on the same fibre carrying a data traffic of 100 Gbps using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). The solution will facilitate rapid upgradation of existing communication networks with quantum security, especially in metropolitan networks.
Abstract Quantum key distribution (QKD) would play an important role in future information technologies due to its theoretically proven security based on the laws of quantum mechanics. How to realize QKDs among multiple users in an effective and simple way is crucial for its real applications in communication networks. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a fully connected QKD network without trusted node for a large number of users. Using flexible wavelength division multiplexing/demultiplexing and space division multiplexing, entanglement resources generated by a broadband energy-time entangled quantum light source are distributed to 40 users. Any two users share a part of entanglement resources, by which QKD is established between them. As a result, it realizes a fully connected network with 40 users and 780 QKD links. The performance of this network architecture is also discussed theoretically, showing its potential on developing quantum communication networks with large user numbers owing to its simplicity, scalability, and high efficiency.
Quantum cryptography, exclusively known as Quantum key distribution (QKD), has attracted a lot of attention in the recent years with the discovery that it can provide absolute secrecy for communications.We report a new architecture for constructing a fiber-based network of quantum key distribution using optical wavelength division multiplexing in the fiber, and also using some wavelength protocols.The advantages are discussed in detail for demonstrating the experimental report in the way of feasibility for the proposed architecture.
Quantum cryptography, or more specifically, quantum key distribution (QKD), has attracted a lot of attention in the recent years with the discovery that it can provide absolute secrecy for communications. We propose a new architecture for implementing a fiber-based network of quantum key distribution using optical wavelength division multiplexing in the fiber. We discuss the advantages over previous proposals and we report experimental work demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed architecture.
Quantum computing poses a threat to the standard cryptographic primitives and requires the implementation of quantum-safe designs in the existing network infrastructures. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has been used to provide information-theoretic security but its compatibility with high capacity wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) systems is a challenge to its deployment in metropolitan networks. In this paper, the architectural design and outcomes of a field trial assessing the concept of co-propagation of quantum and classical signals in a dense WDM metro environment are introduced. We discuss and measure the performance of multi-span fibres and measure quantum bit error rates in the presence of highlypower classical loading and the stability of the end-to-end key generation. A hybrid architecture that incorporates both QKD and classical post-quantum solutions is introduced to make them more resilient, optimized in terms of spectrum usage, and scalable to operator-grade services. The experimental findings show that QKD can be smoothly incorporated into the metro networks without affecting throughput and latency, indicating a way forward to practical quantum safe communications to future critical infrastructures.
The quantum key distribution (QKD) research, which is drawing attention as the next secure communication, is actively expanding from point to point system to network architecture. In QKD network system, it is important to increase the number of users who can securely communicate. Up to date, a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) architecture has successfully expanded the number of channels without significant system loss, but there is a limitation of increasing channels considering the range of telecommunication wavelength and crosstalk noise, etc. In this article, we propose a polarizing division method that increases user channels independently of wavelengths. The proposed architecture can increase the number of wavelength multiplexed channels by a multiple of the polarization number. We identify the issues in the QKD network system that may occur when using polarization and wavelengths simultaneously, then provide solutions and optimize the system operation accordingly. Finally, we describe a field test result of a one to many QKD network system that shows successful key exchange with 3% QBER.