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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Birefringent Interferometry for Quantum Key Distribution

Amos Martinez, Bernd Fröhlich, J. F. Dynes, A. W. Sharpe, Winci Tam, Alan Plews, Marco Lucamarini, Zhiliang L. Yuan, Andrew J. Shields

Published Jan 1, 2018• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report quantum key distribution using an all-fiber, highly birefringent interferometer to implement the BB84 protocol. With this approach, we demonstrate point-to-point operation over 15.5 km drop fiber and an 8-port passive optical network splitter.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_qels.2018.ftu3g.6

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Some guidelines for the comparison of different quantum key distribution experiments are proposed. An improved ‘plug & play’ interferometric system allowing fast key exchange is introduced. Self-alignment and compensation of birefringence remain. Original electronics implementing the BB84 protocol and allowing user-friendly operation is presented. Key creation with 0.1 photon per pulse at a rate of 486 Hz with a 5.4% QBER, corresponding to a net rate of 210Hz, over a 23 Km installed cable was performed.
Some guidelines for the comparison of different quantum key distribution experiments are proposed. An improved ‘plug & play’ interferometric system allowing fast key exchange is introduced. Self-alignment and compensation of birefringence remain. Original electronics implementing the BB84 protocol and allowing user-friendly operation is presented. Key creation with 0.1 photon per pulse at a rate of 486 Hz with a 5.4% QBER, corresponding to a net rate of 210Hz, over a 23 Km installed cable was performed.
A six-user quantum key distribution network implemented on a bus topology is experimentally demonstrated. The network employs the BB84 protocol to transmit cryptographic keys encoded unto the phase states of highly attenuated laser light to distances of up to 31 km in a standard telecommunication-grade fiber. Each user on the network is assigned a unique wavelength for communication with the network server at a time. The measured quantum bit error rate and sifted key rate compare favorably with theoretical results