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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

Multiuser quantum key distribution using wavelength division multiplexing

Gilles Brassard A, Félix Bussières, Nicolas Godbout, S. Lacroix

Published Dec 12, 2003• 51 citations
Publisher

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.1117/12.543338

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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 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 key distribution (QKD) is a new technique for secure key distribution based on the laws of physics rather than mathematical or algorithmic computational complexity used by current systems. Understanding the compatibility of QKD at 1310 nm with the existing commercial optical networks bearing classical wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) channels at 1550 nm is important to advance the deployment of QKD systems in such networks. The minimum wavelength separation for multiplexing QKD and WDM channels on a shared fiber is experimentally determined for impairment-free QKD+WDM transmission.
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.
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.
Background: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD( is a promising technology for secure communication, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to provide theoretically unbreakable encryption. With the exponential growth in data traffic and the increasing need for secure communication in backbone fiber networks, integrating high-bit-rate multiplexing techniques into QKD systems can enhance their efficiency and scalability. Problem: Traditional QKD systems face limitations in terms of data rate and network scalability, particularly in high-capacity optical communication networks. As data demands increase, there is a critical need for methods that can support high-bit-rate multiplexing while maintaining the security and performance of QKD. Method: This study proposes a novel QKD approach using high-bit-rate multiplexing in backbone fiber networks. The method involves encoding quantum keys using multiple optical channels simultaneously to increase the data throughput of the QKD system. We employ a combination of time-division multiplexing (TDM( and wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM( to optimize the use of fiber resources and enhance key distribution rates. Results: Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a key distribution rate of 10 Mbps over a 200 km fiber link with a quantum bit error rate (QBER( of 1.5%. This represents a 50% improvement in key rate compared to conventional QKD systems without multiplexing. Additionally, the method shows enhanced scalability and network utilization, supporting up to 16 multiplexed channels with minimal impact on security.
Future communications networks not only should enable massive exchange of classical bits, but also the transmission of quantum bits on which many quantum applications rely. This will be the key to offering quantum technologies in a cost-efficient way, and it should encompass the integration of quantum and classical networks at the core of existing optical communications networks, as well as at the access end of such networks. In this work, we cover a range of proposals that enable such an integration for one of the imminent applications of quantum technologies, i.e., quantum key distribution (QKD), by which users can securely exchange a secret key for their cryptographic needs. This will include using wavelength division multiplexing techniques to send quantum and classical data on the same fiber as well as wireless access for QKD users to passive optical networks. In each case, we explore optimal arrangements to find the best way forward for an amicable coexistence.