Chinese Journal of Quantum Electronics
Study on quantum key bit rate in free-space quantum cryptography
Liying Tan
Abstract
The expressions of the quantum key bit rate are given for free-space quantum key distribution by introducing the quantum channel transmission, the single-photon acquisition probability, the detection factor and the sifting factor. The quantum key bit rate is studied in the numerical simulation for the laser links between a ground station and a satellite in a low earth orbit. The results show that it is feasible to implement quantum key distribution between a ground station and a satellite in a low earth orbit.