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Physical Review A

Quantum key distribution using basis encoding of Gaussian-modulated coherent states

Peng Huang, Jingzheng Huang, Zheshen Zhang, Guihua Zeng

Published Apr 9, 2018• 30 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) has been demonstrated to be available in practical secure quantum cryptography. However, its performance is restricted strongly by the channel excess noise and the reconciliation efficiency. In this paper, we present a quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol by encoding the secret keys on the random choices of two measurement bases: the conjugate quadratures $X$ and $P$. The employed encoding method can dramatically weaken the effects of channel excess noise and reconciliation efficiency on the performance of the QKD protocol. Subsequently, the proposed scheme exhibits the capability to tolerate much higher excess noise and enables us to reach a much longer secure transmission distance even at lower reconciliation efficiency. The proposal can work alternatively to strengthen significantly the performance of the known Gaussian-modulated CVQKD protocol and serve as a multiplier for practical secure quantum cryptography with continuous variables.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.97.042311

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The continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) has been demonstrated to be available in practical secure quantum cryptography. However, its performance is restricted strongly by the channel excess noise and the reconciliation efficiency. In this paper, we present a quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol by encoding the secret keys on the random choices of two measurement bases: the conjugate quadratures XXX and PPP. The employed encoding method can dramatically weaken the effects of channel excess noise and reconciliation efficiency on the performance of the QKD protocol. Subsequently, the proposed scheme exhibits the capability to tolerate much higher excess noise and enables us to reach a much longer secure transmission distance even at lower reconciliation efficiency. The proposal can work alternatively to strengthen significantly the performance of the known Gaussian-modulated CVQKD protocol and serve as a multiplier for practical secure quantum cryptography with continuous variables.
Discrete-modulated coherent-state continuous-variable quantum key distribution (DMCS-CVQKD) is of great value for its simple implementation. However, the traditional DMCS-CVQKD scheme cannot tolerate the high channel excess noise and channel loss, compared to the Gaussian-modulated scheme, and its error correction is still difficult. In this paper, we propose a discrete-modulated coherent-state basis-encoding quantum key distribution (DMCS-BE-QKD) protocol, where the secret keys are encoded in the random choice of 2 measurement bases, i.e., the conjugate quadratures X and P of discrete-modulated coherent states, and it only needs simple binary sequence error correction. We analyze the secret key rate of DMCS-BE-QKD protocol under individual and collective attacks in the linear Gaussian channel. The results show that DMCS-BE-QKD can greatly enhance the ability to tolerate the channel loss and excess noise compared to the original DMCS-CVQKD protocol, which can tolerate approximately 40 dB more channel loss compared to the original DMCS-CVQKD for the realistic value of noise. Finally, a proof-of-principle experiment is conducted under a 50.5-km optical fiber to verify the feasibility of DMCS-BE-QKD. It is based on the consistent physical procedures of the traditional DMCS-CVQKD, which makes it perfectly compatible to deployed terminals and can serve as a multiplier for the practical secure quantum cryptography communication in harsh environments.
We designed high-efficiency error correcting codes allowing us to extract an errorless secret key in a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) protocol using a Gaussian modulation of coherent states and a homodyne detection. These codes are available for a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios on an additive white Gaussian noise channel with a binary modulation and can be combined with a multidimensional reconciliation method proven secure against arbitrary collective attacks. This improved reconciliation procedure considerably extends the secure range of a CVQKD with a Gaussian modulation, giving a secret key rate of about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ bit per pulse at a distance of 120 km for reasonable physical parameters.
Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) is considered to be an alternative to classical cryptography for secure communication. However, its transmission distance is restricted to metropolitan areas, given that it is affected by the channel excess noise and losses. In this paper, we present a scheme for implementing long-distance CVQKD using separable Gaussian states. This tunable QKD protocol requires separable Gaussian states, which are squeezed and displaced, along with the assistance of classical communication and available linear optics components. This protocol originates from the entanglement of one mode and the auxiliary mode used for distribution, which is first destroyed by local correlated noises and restored subsequently by the interference of the auxiliary mode with the second distant separable correlated mode. The displacement matrix is organized by two six-dimensional vectors and is finally fixed by the separability of the tripartite system. The separability between the ancilla and Alice and Bob's system mitigates the enemy's eavesdropping, leading to tolerating higher excess noise and achieving longer transmission distance.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables the establishment of secret keys between users connected via a channel vulnerable to eavesdropping, with information-theoretic security, that is, independently of the power of a malevolent party [1]. QKD systems based on the encoding of the key information on continuous variables (CV), such as the values of the quadrature components of coherent states [2], [3], present the major advantage that they only require standard telecommunication technology. However, the most general security proofs for CVQKD required until now the use of Gaussian modulation by the transmitter, complicating practical implementations [4]–[6]. Here, we experimentally implement a protocol that allows for arbitrary, Gaussian-like, discrete modulations, whose security is based on a theoretical proof that applies generally to such situations [7]. These modulation formats are compatible with the use of powerful tools of coherent optical telecommunication, allowing our system to reach an estimated performance of tens of megabit per second secret key rates over 25 km
The multicarrier continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) protocol is defined. In a CVQKD protocol, the information is conveyed by coherent quantum states. The quantum continuous variables are sent through a noisy quantum channel. For a quantum channel with additive-multiplicative noise both additive and multiplicative disturbances are present in the transmission. The multiplicative disturbance is an inherent attribute of diverse physical environments. Physical links with additive and multiplicative disturbances can represent a more general approach than purely additive noise links in several practical scenarios. In a standard CVQKD setting, the noise is modeled as an additive white Gaussian noise caused by an eavesdropper (Gaussian quantum link). As a corollary, standard CVQKD protocols are not optimal for arbitrary Gaussian quantum channels if multiplicative disturbances are also present in the physical link. Here, we define the adaptive multicarrier quadrature division (AMQD) modulation technique for CVQKD. The AMQD method is optimal for arbitrary Gaussian quantum channels with arbitrary multiplicative disturbances. The protocol granulates the Gaussian random input into Gaussian subcarrier continuous variables in the encoding phase, which are then decoded by a continuous unitary transformation. The subcarrier coherent variables formulate sub-channels from the physical link which leads to improved transmission efficiency, higher tolerable loss, and excess noise in comparison to standard CVQKD protocols. We also derive the security proof of multicarrier CVQKD at optimal Gaussian attacks in the finite-size and asymptotic regimes.
In a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) system, the information is conveyed by coherent state carriers. The quantum continuous variables are sent through a quantum channel, where the presence of the eavesdropper adds a white Gaussian noise to the transmission. The amount of tolerable noise and loss is a crucial point in CVQKD, since it determines the overall performance of the protocol, including the secure key rates and transmission distances. In this work, we propose the adaptive multicarrier quadrature division (AMQD) modulation technique for CVQKD. The method granulates the Gaussian random input into Gaussian subcarrier continuous variables in the encoding phase, which are then decoded by a continuous unitary transformation. The subcarrier coherent variables formulate Gaussian sub-channels from the physical link with strongly diverse transmission capabilities, which leads to significantly improved transmission efficiency, higher tolerable loss, and excess noise. We also investigate a modulation-variance adaption technique within the AMQD scheme, which provides optimal capacity-achieving communication over the sub-channels in the presence of a Gaussian noise.