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

Optical and Quantum Electronics

Parallel quantum key distribution scheme based on Mach–Zehnder interferometer

Jingjing Yang, Shengwen Yan, Fang Li

Published Dec 22, 2014• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

We present a parallel quantum key distribution scheme, where a Mach–Zehnder (M–Z) interferometer is applied to achieve a subcarrier multiplexing quantum key distribution. The polarization of each sideband of the composite signal and their controlling factors are analyzed. The factors, such as intermodulation interference and laser source phase noise, which might increase quantum bit error, are studied. The simulation of the quantum bit error rate of the four different sidebands shows that this type of modulation can meet the bit error rate requirement of quantum key distribution.

DOI
10.1007/s11082-014-0097-7

Related papers

Subcarrier multiplexing quantum key distribution based on polarization coding

Guhao Zhao, Zhao Shang-Hong, Zhoushi Yao +4 more

A subcarrier multiplexing quantum key distribution is based on phase modulation polarization coding scheme. The key could be shared by several parallel sideband channels, and each sideband has a random and independent polarization which is synthesized by controlling the phase difference of subcarriers in two electro-optical phase modulators. The key rate could be increased multiply. The simulation result shows that the scheme works well.

Acta Physica Sinica•Jan 1, 2012•2 citations

Study on quantum bit error rate of quantum key distribution system based on the double Mach-Zehnder interferometers

Songhao Liu

Quantum bit error rate (QBER) of the quantum key distribution system based on the unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer is theoretically analyzed. The influence of the unsymmetry of the two Mach-Zehnder interferometers, the birefringence in the fiber and the fluctuation of the temperature, on the QBER have been discussed in detail. The analytical expression of the QBER is deduced. It shows that the QBER caused by the unsymmetry of the two Mach-Zehnder interferometers defers to the Gauss distribution, QBER caused by the birefringence in the fiber which results in the disaccord of the polarization of the two pulses defers to the cosine distribution, and the fluctuation of the temperature exert great influence on the QBER.

Chinese Journal of Quantum Electronics•Jan 1, 2006•0 citations

Scheme for generating high-quality optical multicarrier for quantum key distribution wavelength division-multiplexing passive optical network

Min Zhu, Dawei Li

We proposed and analyzed a scheme of generating an optical multicarrier using a linear optical modulator–based hybrid interferometer modulator and a dual parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator. Fifteen-tone comb lines within 0.5-dB spectral power variation are obtained; the side-mode suppression ratio is about 35 dB; and the system is tolerant to radio-frequency phase differences. Some analysis on the noise characteristics and the impact of parameter drifting is also made. These features indicate that the proposed multicarrier generator is a good multiwavelength source for quantum key distribution wavelength division-multiplexing passive optical networks.

Optical Engineering•Oct 14, 2015•5 citations

Analysis of Subcarrier Multiplexed Quantum Key Distribution Systems: Signal, Intermodulation, and Quantum Bit Error Rate

J. Capmany, Arturo Ortigosa-Blanch, Jose Mora +3 more

This paper provides an in-depth theoretical analysis of subcarrier multiplexed quantum key distribution (SCM-QKD) systems, taking into account as many factors of impairment as possible and especially considering the influence of nonlinear signal mixing on the end-to-end quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the useful key rate. A detailed analysis of SCM-QKD is performed considering the different factors affecting the sideband visibility (drifts in the modulator bias points, modulation index mismatch between Alice and Bob subcarriers) and the impact of nonlinear signal mixing leaking into otherwise void subcarrier sidebands. In a similar way to classical photonic radio-over-fiber telecommunication and cable TV systems, the impact of this nonlinear signal mixing can be accounted in terms of a quantum carrier to noise ratio that depends on the specific frequency plan that is implemented. QBER and useful key rate results for three different frequency plans featuring$N$$=$15 (low-count channel system),$N$$=$30 (intermediate-count channel system), and$N$$=$50 (high-count channel system) channels are provided, showing that photon nonlinear mixing can be of importance in middle- and high-count SCM-QKD systems ($N$≫ 30), with moderate RF modulation indexes ($m$≫ 5%). In practical terms, nonlinear signal mixing can be neglected if low modulation indexes ($m$≪ 2%) are employed to encode the photons in the subcarrier sidebands.

IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics•Jan 1, 2009•27 citations

Multichannel parallel continuous-variable quantum key distribution with Gaussian modulation

Jian Fang, Peng Huang, Guihua Zeng

We propose a scheme for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) using the subcarrier multiplexing technique which was employed in microwave photonics. This scheme allows distribution of $N$ channels with independent Gaussian-modulated CV-QKD in parallel with one laser source and several phase modulators. We analyze the influence of nonlinear signal mixing and security in the asymptotic limit. Results indicate that by using this multiplexing technique, each channel will have a non-Gaussian extra source noise, resulting in slight shortening of the maximum transmission distance, while the total secret key rate can be considerably increased. This scheme could also be used for key distribution for multiple users, and combined with wavelength division multiplexing devices it has potential to be used for construction of a CV-QKD network.

arXiv:1310.2405•Physical Review A•Feb 12, 2014•49 citations

Quantum key distribution based on two asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometers

Songhao Liu

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system based on the two asymmetric Mach-Zehnder optical fiber interferometers is easily influenced by the external environmental interference, which causes phase excursion. And the high interference visibility of QKD system can’t keep for long and the instability of interference could cause the bit error of QKD. By tracking the stochastic phase excursion in statistical manner, the experiment of quantum key distribution over 75km was done successfully during the time of high interference visibility. The method of QKD in this paper is possessed of high security, less component, and easy operation.

Guangdian gongcheng•Jan 1, 2007•0 citations
We present a parallel quantum key distribution scheme, where a Mach–Zehnder (M–Z) interferometer is applied to achieve a subcarrier multiplexing quantum key distribution. The polarization of each sideband of the composite signal and their controlling factors are analyzed. The factors, such as intermodulation interference and laser source phase noise, which might increase quantum bit error, are studied. The simulation of the quantum bit error rate of the four different sidebands shows that this type of modulation can meet the bit error rate requirement of quantum key distribution.
Quantum bit error rate (QBER) of the quantum key distribution system based on the unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer is theoretically analyzed. The influence of the unsymmetry of the two Mach-Zehnder interferometers, the birefringence in the fiber and the fluctuation of the temperature, on the QBER have been discussed in detail. The analytical expression of the QBER is deduced. It shows that the QBER caused by the unsymmetry of the two Mach-Zehnder interferometers defers to the Gauss distribution, QBER caused by the birefringence in the fiber which results in the disaccord of the polarization of the two pulses defers to the cosine distribution, and the fluctuation of the temperature exert great influence on the QBER.
We proposed and analyzed a scheme of generating an optical multicarrier using a linear optical modulator–based hybrid interferometer modulator and a dual parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator. Fifteen-tone comb lines within 0.5-dB spectral power variation are obtained; the side-mode suppression ratio is about 35 dB; and the system is tolerant to radio-frequency phase differences. Some analysis on the noise characteristics and the impact of parameter drifting is also made. These features indicate that the proposed multicarrier generator is a good multiwavelength source for quantum key distribution wavelength division-multiplexing passive optical networks.
This paper provides an in-depth theoretical analysis of subcarrier multiplexed quantum key distribution (SCM-QKD) systems, taking into account as many factors of impairment as possible and especially considering the influence of nonlinear signal mixing on the end-to-end quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the useful key rate. A detailed analysis of SCM-QKD is performed considering the different factors affecting the sideband visibility (drifts in the modulator bias points, modulation index mismatch between Alice and Bob subcarriers) and the impact of nonlinear signal mixing leaking into otherwise void subcarrier sidebands. In a similar way to classical photonic radio-over-fiber telecommunication and cable TV systems, the impact of this nonlinear signal mixing can be accounted in terms of a quantum carrier to noise ratio that depends on the specific frequency plan that is implemented. QBER and useful key rate results for three different frequency plans featuringNNN$=15(low−countchannelsystem),15 (low-count channel system),15(low−countchannelsystem),N$$=$30 (intermediate-count channel system), and$N$$=50(high−countchannelsystem)channelsareprovided,showingthatphotonnonlinearmixingcanbeofimportanceinmiddle−andhigh−countSCM−QKDsystems(50 (high-count channel system) channels are provided, showing that photon nonlinear mixing can be of importance in middle- and high-count SCM-QKD systems (50(high−countchannelsystem)channelsareprovided,showingthatphotonnonlinearmixingcanbeofimportanceinmiddle−andhigh−countSCM−QKDsystems(N≫30),withmoderateRFmodulationindexes(≫ 30), with moderate RF modulation indexes (≫30),withmoderateRFmodulationindexes(m≫5≫ 5%). In practical terms, nonlinear signal mixing can be neglected if low modulation indexes (≫5m$≪ 2%) are employed to encode the photons in the subcarrier sidebands.
We propose a scheme for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) using the subcarrier multiplexing technique which was employed in microwave photonics. This scheme allows distribution of NNN channels with independent Gaussian-modulated CV-QKD in parallel with one laser source and several phase modulators. We analyze the influence of nonlinear signal mixing and security in the asymptotic limit. Results indicate that by using this multiplexing technique, each channel will have a non-Gaussian extra source noise, resulting in slight shortening of the maximum transmission distance, while the total secret key rate can be considerably increased. This scheme could also be used for key distribution for multiple users, and combined with wavelength division multiplexing devices it has potential to be used for construction of a CV-QKD network.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system based on the two asymmetric Mach-Zehnder optical fiber interferometers is easily influenced by the external environmental interference, which causes phase excursion. And the high interference visibility of QKD system can’t keep for long and the instability of interference could cause the bit error of QKD. By tracking the stochastic phase excursion in statistical manner, the experiment of quantum key distribution over 75km was done successfully during the time of high interference visibility. The method of QKD in this paper is possessed of high security, less component, and easy operation.