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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Detection-time-bin-shift polarization encoding quantum key distribution system

Lijun Ma, Tiejun Chang, Xiao Hong Tang

Published May 4, 2008• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A detection-time-bin-shift scheme for polarization encoding QKD is proposed. This scheme reduces cost and overcomes the security loss caused by dead-time and unbalanced characteristics of detectors. This scheme is experimentally demonstrated with the B92 protocol.
DOI
10.1109/qels.2008.4553245

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Detection-time-bin-shift (DTBS) is a scheme that uses time division multiplexing of a single photon detector between two photon bases in a quantum key distribution (QKD) system. This scheme can simplify the structure of a QKD system, reduce its cost and overcome the security problems caused by the dead-time induced self-correlation and the unbalanced characteristics of detectors. In this paper, we introduce an improved DTBS scheme and implement it based on our previously developed conventional fiber-based QKD system using the B92 protocol. Our DTBS QKD system generates sifted keys at a rate of more than 1 Mbit/s with a quantum bit error rate (QBER) lower than 2% over 1.1 km of fiber.
Detection-time-bin-shift (DTBS) is a scheme that projects the measurement bases or measured photon values into detection time-bins and then time division multiplexes a single photon detector in a quantum key distribution (QKD) system. This scheme can simplify the structure of a QKD system, reduce its cost and overcome the security problems caused by the dead-time introduced self-correlation and the unbalanced characteristics of detectors. In this paper, we present several DTBS schemes for QKD systems based on attenuated laser pulses and entangled photon sources. We study the security issues of these DTBS schemes, especially the time-bin-shift intercept-resend attack and its countermeasures. A fiber-based DTBS QKD system has been developed and its results are presented in this paper.
Detection-time-bin-shift (DTBS) is a scheme that projects the measurement bases or measured photon values into detection time-bins and then time division multiplexes a single photon detector in a quantum key distribution (QKD) system. This scheme can simplify the structure of a QKD system, reduce its cost and overcome the security problems caused by the dead-time introduced self-correlation and the unbalanced characteristics of detectors. In this paper, we present several DTBS schemes for QKD systems based on attenuated laser pulses and entangled photon sources. We study the security issues of these DTBS schemes, especially the time-bin-shift intercept-resend attack and its countermeasures. A fiber-based DTBS QKD system has been developed and its results are presented in this paper.
Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) eliminates all loopholes on detection. Previous experiments of time-bin phase-encoding MDI-QKD allow a factor of 3/4 loss in the final key for the incapability of identifying two successive detection events by a single photon detector. Here we propose a new scheme to realize the time-bin phase-encoding MDI-QKD. The polarization states are used to generate the time bins and the phase-encoding states. The factor of loss in the final key is eliminated by using four single photon detectors at the measurement site. We show the feasibility of our scheme with a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration. The phase reference frame is rotated extremely slowly with only passive stabilization measures. The quantum bit error rate can reach 0.8% in the Z-basis and 26.2% in the X-basis.
In light of the growing widely utilized single-photon avalanche detectors, dead time is inevitable due to the presence of afterpulse. Dead time is a critical factor that influences the count rate and the secret key rate (SKR) of quantum key distribution (QKD). It is particularly significant in time-bin-encoding systems, while prior models fail to accurately estimate the gains. Of note, it introduces correlations between early bins and late bins, hence bits with strong correlation and security risks. Here, we put forward a realistic model that precisely characterizes the response of detectors for time-bin-encoding systems. Our model not only improves the accuracy of gain predictions, showing an excellent match with the Monte Carlo simulation results, but also provides theoretical support for data processing, helping to mitigate security risks. Finally, leveraging our model, we can get a much higher SKR than prior models and further enhance the performance of practical QKD systems by adjusting the detector parameters. Our simulation results demonstrate that our model is essential for the application and deployment of QKD systems in practice.