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New Journal of Physics

Practical gigahertz quantum key distribution based on avalanche photodiodes

Zhiliang L. Yuan, A. R. Dixon, J. F. Dynes, A. W. Sharpe, Andrew J. Shields

Published Apr 30, 2009• 56 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report in this paper a gigahertz clocked quantum key distribution (QKD) system using only practical components. Compact semiconductor avalanche photodiodes are used for high-speed single photon detection, whereas an attenuated laser is used as a light source in combination with the decoy protocol for guarding against photon-number-splitting attacks. The system is characterized by secure key rates of 1.02 Mbit s −1 for a fibre distance of 20 km and 10.1 kbit s −1 for 100 km. The suitability of standard single mode fibres as the quantum channel is also demonstrated.

DOI
10.1088/1367-2630/11/4/045019

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We report in this paper a gigahertz clocked quantum key distribution (QKD) system using only practical components. Compact semiconductor avalanche photodiodes are used for high-speed single photon detection, whereas an attenuated laser is used as a light source in combination with the decoy protocol for guarding against photon-number-splitting attacks. The system is characterized by secure key rates of 1.02 Mbit s −1 for a fibre distance of 20 km and 10.1 kbit s −1 for 100 km. The suitability of standard single mode fibres as the quantum channel is also demonstrated.
We report the first gigahertz clocked decoy-protocol quantum key distribution (QKD). Record key rates have been achieved thanks to the use of self-differencing InGaAs avalanche photodiodes designed specifically for high speed single photon detection. The system is characterized with a secure key rate of 1.02 Mbit/s for a fiber distance of 20 km and 10.1 kbit/s for 100 km. As the present advance relies upon compact non-cryogenic detectors, it opens the door towards practical and low cost QKD systems to secure broadband communication in future.
We report a demonstration of quantum key distribution (QKD) at gigahertz clock rates with InGaAs avalanche photodiodes (APDs) operating in a self-differencing mode. Such a mode of operation allows detection of extremely weak avalanches so that the detector afterpulse noise is sufficiently suppressed. The system is characterized by a secure bit rate of 2.37Mbit∕s at 5.6km and 27.9kbit∕s at 65.5km when the fiber dispersion is not compensated. After compensating the fiber dispersion, the QKD distance is extended to 101km, resulting in a secure key rate of 2.88kbit∕s. Our results suggest that InGaAs APDs are very well suited to gigahertz QKD applications.
We report a demonstration of quantum key distribution (QKD) at gigahertz clock rates with InGaAs avalanche photodiodes (APDs) operating in a self-differencing mode. Such a mode of operation allows detection of extremely weak avalanches so that the detector afterpulse noise is sufficiently suppressed. The system is characterized by a secure bit rate of 2.37Mbit∕s at 5.6km and 27.9kbit∕s at 65.5km when the fiber dispersion is not compensated. After compensating the fiber dispersion, the QKD distance is extended to 101km, resulting in a secure key rate of 2.88kbit∕s. Our results suggest that InGaAs APDs are very well suited to gigahertz QKD applications.
A quantum key distribution (QKD) system has been developed, using a standard telecommunications optical fiber, which is capable of operating at clock rates of greater than 1 GHz. The QKD system implements a polarization encoded version of the B92 protocol. The system employs vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with emission wavelengths of 850 nm as weak coherent light sources, and silicon single photon avalanche diodes as the single photon detectors. A distributed feedback laser of emission wavelength 1.3 /spl mu/m, and a linear gain germanium avalanche photodiode was used to optically synchronize individual photons over the standard telecommunications fiber. The QKD system exhibited a quantum bit error rate (QBER) of 1.4%, and an estimated net bit rate (NBR) greater than 100 000 bits/sup -1/ for a 4.2-km transmission range. For a 10-km fiber range, a QBER of 2.1%, and an estimated NBR of greater than 7000 bits/sup -1/ was achieved.