A novel type of quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol called differential-phase-shift QKD is described. It uses a weak coherent pulse train, and features simple configuration and efficient use of the time domain.
Quantum key distribution is used for secure communication between two parties for generation of secret key. Differential Phase Shift Quantum Key Distribution is a new and unique QKD protocol that is different from traditional ones, providing simplicity and practicality. This paper presents Delay Selected DPS-QKD scheme in which it uses a weak coherent pulse train, and features simple configuration and efficient use of the time domain. All detected photon participate to form a secure key bits and resulting in a higher key creation efficiency.
A novel type of quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol, called DPS (differential-phase-shift) QKD, was proposed several years ago. A sender transmits a highly-attenuated coherent pulse train with {0, π} phase, and a receiver receives it with a one-bit delay Mach-Zehnder interferometer followed by photon detectors. A secret key is created from photon detection events, whose security is based on the fact that an eavesdropper cannot perfectly measure the phase information of a highly-attenuated coherent pulse train. This protocol has some features of simple setup, potential for a high key creation rate, and robustness against photon-number-splitting attack. This paper overviews DPS-QKD. The operation mechanism is described, and then some experimental efforts are introduced, featuring use of a glass waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometer and advanced single-photon detectors. The highest key rate and the longest distance have been achieved with the DPS-QKD protocol. Some modified schemes are also presented, including that utilizing quantum entanglement, that using decoy pulses, and that using macroscopic coherent light.
A unique quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol, called DPS (differential-phase-shift) QKD, has been proposed and developed at NTT and Osaka University, which utilizes a coherent pulse train instead of individual photons as in traditional QKD protocols such as BB84. Its security is based on the fact that every phase difference of a highlyattenuated coherent pulse train cannot be fully measured. This protocol has features of simple setup, potential for a high key creation rate, and robustness against photon-number-splitting attack. This paper presents recent research activities on DPS-QKD.
Quantum-key distribution has been studied as an ultimate method for secure communications, and now it is emerging as a technology that can be deployed in real fiber networks. Here, we present our QKD experiments based on the differential- phase-shift QKD protocol. A DPSQKD system has a simple configuration that is easy to implement with conventional optical communication components, and it is suitable for a high-clock rate system. Moreover, although the DPS-QKD system is implemented with an attenuated laser source, it is inherently secure against strong eavesdropping attacks called photon number-splitting attacks, which pose a serious threat to conventional QKD systems with attenuated laser sources. We also describe three types of single-photon detectors that are suitable for high-speed, long-distance QKD: an up-conversion detector, a superconducting single-photon detector, and a sinusoidally gated InGaAs avalanche photodiode. We present our recordsetting QKD experiments that employed those detectors.