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New Journal of Physics

Analysis of detector performance in a gigahertz clock rate quantum key distribution system

Patrick J. Clarke, Robert John Collins, Philip A. Hiskett, María-José García-Martínez, Nils J. Krichel, Aongus McCarthy, Michael G. Tanner, John A. O’Connor, Chandra M. Natarajan, Shigehito Miki, Masahide Sasaki, Zhen Wang, Mikio Fujiwara, Ivan Rech, Massimo Ghioni, Angelo Gulinatti, Robert H. Hadfield, Paul D. Townsend, Gerald S. Buller

Published Jul 22, 2011• 35 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a detailed analysis of a gigahertz clock rate environmentally robust phase-encoded quantum key distribution (QKD) system utilizing several different single-photon detectors, including the first implementation of an experimental resonant cavity thin-junction silicon single-photon avalanche diode. The system operates at a wavelength of 850 nm using standard telecommunications optical fibre. A general-purpose theoretical model for the performance of QKD systems is presented with reference to these experimental results before predictions are made about realistic detector developments in this system. We discuss, with reference to the theoretical model, how detector operating parameters can be further optimized to maximize key exchange rates.

DOI
10.1088/1367-2630/13/7/075008

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We present a detailed analysis of a gigahertz clock rate environmentally robust phase-encoded quantum key distribution (QKD) system utilizing several different single-photon detectors, including the first implementation of an experimental resonant cavity thin-junction silicon single-photon avalanche diode. The system operates at a wavelength of 850 nm using standard telecommunications optical fibre. A general-purpose theoretical model for the performance of QKD systems is presented with reference to these experimental results before predictions are made about realistic detector developments in this system. We discuss, with reference to the theoretical model, how detector operating parameters can be further optimized to maximize key exchange rates.
We present a general purpose theoretical model of single-photon detectors in quantum key distribution systems and apply it to an autonomous gigahertz clocked phase basis set system operating at a wavelength of 850 nm over a standard telecommunications fiber quantum channel. The system has been demonstrated using a variety of different singlephoton detectors, including thick and thin junction silicon single-photon avalanche photodiodes and the first implementation of a resonant cavity thin junction silicon single-photon avalanche diode. We show, by means of the theoretical model, how improvements to certain detector parameters can optimize key exchange rates.
We present recent results on an innovative fiber based short wavelength gigahertz clock rate quantum key distribution system operating over a standard telecommunications optical fiber quantum channel. This system is designed to be robust against environmentally induced changes in the polarization evolution of the photons in the optical fiber quantum channel and against path-length drift in the interferometers which could otherwise compromise system performance. Experimental results are presented for error rate, net bit rate and stability for different silicon single-photon avalanche diode detector types.
This paper describes progress in gigahertz-clocked quantum key distribution systems. It details current advances in both point-to-point and network applications. We will discuss possibilities for practical quantum key distribution using single-photon sources, and discuss the experimental system performance of GHz-clocked quantum key distribution systems focusing on issues of quantum bit error rate, net bit rate and transmission distance with different detector structures, concentrating on single-photon avalanche diode detectors, but also examining superconducting nanowire-based structures. The quantum key distribution system is designed to be environmentally robust and an examination of long-term system operation will be presented.
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.
This paper describes progress in gigahertz-clocked quantum key distribution systems. It details current advances in both point-to-point and network applications. We will discuss possibilities for practical quantum key distribution using single-photon sources, and discuss the experimental system performance of GHz-clocked quantum key distribution systems focusing on issues of quantum bit error rate, net bit rate and transmission distance with different detector structures, concentrating on single-photon avalanche diode detectors, but also examining superconducting nanowire-based structures. The quantum key distribution system is designed to be environmentally robust and an examination of long-term system operation will be presented.