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Physical Review A

Channel-parameter estimation for satellite-to-submarine continuous-variable quantum key distribution

Ying Guo, Cailang Xie, Peng Huang, Jiawei Li, Ling Zhang, Duan Huang, Guihua Zeng

Published May 24, 2018• 72 citations
Publisher

Abstract

This paper deals with a channel-parameter estimation for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) over a satellite-to-submarine link. In particular, we focus on the channel transmittances and the excess noise which are affected by atmospheric turbulence, surface roughness, zenith angle of the satellite, wind speed, submarine depth, etc. The estimation method is based on proposed algorithms and is applied to low-Earth orbits using the Monte Carlo approach. For light at 550 nm with a repetition frequency of 1 MHz, the effects of the estimated parameters on the performance of the CV-QKD system are assessed by a simulation by comparing the secret key bit rate in the daytime and at night. Our results show the feasibility of satellite-to-submarine CV-QKD, providing an unconditionally secure approach to achieve global networks for underwater communications.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.97.052326

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This paper deals with a channel-parameter estimation for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) over a satellite-to-submarine link. In particular, we focus on the channel transmittances and the excess noise which are affected by atmospheric turbulence, surface roughness, zenith angle of the satellite, wind speed, submarine depth, etc. The estimation method is based on proposed algorithms and is applied to low-Earth orbits using the Monte Carlo approach. For light at 550 nm with a repetition frequency of 1 MHz, the effects of the estimated parameters on the performance of the CV-QKD system are assessed by a simulation by comparing the secret key bit rate in the daytime and at night. Our results show the feasibility of satellite-to-submarine CV-QKD, providing an unconditionally secure approach to achieve global networks for underwater communications.
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Considering the ocean water’s optical attenuation and the roughness of the sea surface, we analyze the security of continuous-variable (CV) quantum key distribution (QKD) based air-to-water channel. The effects of the absorption and scattering on the transmittance of underwater quantum channel and the maximum secure transmission distance are studied. Considering the roughness of the sea surface, we simulate the performance bounds of CV QKD with different wind speeds using the Monte Carlo method. The results show that even if the secret key rate gradually reduces as the wind speed increases, the maximum transmission distance will not be affected obviously. Compared to the works regarding short-distance underwater optical communication, our research represents a significant step towards establishing secure communication between air platform and submarine vehicle .
Continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) has emerged as a promising candidate for quantum-secure communication due to its experimentally demonstrated high key rates in fiber-optic channels. However, the feasibility of discrete modulation CV-QKD in satellite-to-ground downlinks remains an open question due to practical challenges such as high transmission loss, limited communication windows, and atmospheric turbulence. In this work, a comprehensive framework is proposed to evaluate the feasibility of discrete modulation CV-QKD by integrating orbital dynamics and atmospheric channel models, and to comprehensively analyze the influence of the parameter space on free-space discrete modulation CV-QKD. To achieve this, a free-space CV-QKD simulation platform is employed, which calculates the elevation angle and transmission distance based on precise orbital models, thereby providing a more practical assessment of the key rate for discrete modulation CV-QKD. Simulation results verify the feasibility and practicality of discrete modulation CV-QKD in satellite-based quantum communication systems. Furthermore, the critical factors influencing the key rate performance are identified, and parameter optimization strategies are proposed, providing theoretical support for realizing the future satellite-to-ground discrete modulation CV-QKD.
In principle, the number of orbital angular momentum (OAM) eigenstates is unbounded; therefore, OAM multiplexing could greatly increase the transmission rate. Compared with optical fibers, free-space channels fluctuate randomly over time due to the effects of atmospheric turbulence. Free-space channel estimation is necessary. Here, we study the channel parameter estimation of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) based on OAM, especially the influence of atmospheric turbulence on transmittance and excess noise. By comparing the secret key rate in the case of single link and multiplexing, the impact of the estimated parameters on the performance of the CVQKD system is evaluated. Simulation results show that the value of the estimated parameter will affect the secret key rate.
Satellite-based quantum cryptography has already been demonstrated using discrete variable technology. Nonetheless, there is great interest in using weak coherent pulses to perform quantum key distribution (QKD) in the continuous variable (CV) paradigm. In this work, we study the feasibility of performing coherent-state CV-QKD via the satellite-to-ground channel. We use numerical methods to simulate atmospheric turbulence and compare the results with ground-based experimental data so as to confirm the validity of our approach. We find the results obtained from the numerical simulations agree well with the experimental data and represent an improvement over the state-of-the-art analytical models. Using the simulation results we then derive QKD key rates and find that useful non-zero key rates can be found over a limited range of zenith angles. Determination of QKD key rates using experimentally validated simulations of low-zenith-angle atmospheric channels represents an important step towards proving the feasibility of real-world satellite-to-Earth CV-QKD.
The trans-media transmission of quantum pulse is one of means of free-space transmission which can be applied in continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) system. In traditional implementations for atmospheric channels, the 1500-to-1600-nm pulse is regarded as an ideal quantum pulse carrier. However, the underwater transmission of this pulses tends to suffer from severe attenuation, which inevitably deteriorates the security of the whole CVQKD system. In this paper, we propose an alternative scheme for implementations of CVQKD over satellite-to-submarine channels. We estimate the parameters of the trans-media channels, involving atmosphere, sea surface and seawater and find that the short-wave infrared performs well in the above channels. The 450-nm pulse is used for generations of quantum signal carriers to accomplish quantum communications through atmosphere, sea surface and seawater channels. Numerical simulations show that the proposed scheme can achieve the transmission distance of 600 km. In addition, we demonstrate that non-Gaussian operations can further lengthen its maximal transmission distance, which contributes to the establishment of practical global quantum networks.