Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks

Fiber-Based Stations for Quantum Key Distribution Field Trials over Installed Fiber Links

Ilaria Vagniluca, Davide Bacco, Alessandro Zavatta

Published Jul 1, 2020• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In-field demonstrations in real-world scenarios boost the development of quantum key distribution (QKD) towards its integration in existing infrastructures. Although QKD devices are already adopted outside the laboratories, current field implementations still suffer from high costs and low performances, preventing this technology from a large-scale deployment in telecommunication networks. Here, we present the developing of a cost-effective setup for QKD field trials, implemented for testing QKD performances in two different scenarios: (i) using an installed fiber link the metropolitan area of Florence (Italy); (ii) using a submarine optical fiber channel between Malta and Sicily.

DOI
10.1109/icton51198.2020.9203509

Related papers

Field trial of a finite-key quantum key distribution system in the Florence metropolitan area

Davide Bacco, Ilaria Vagniluca, Beatrice Da Lio +8 more

In-field demonstrations in real-world scenarios boost the development of a rising technology towards its integration in existing infrastructures. Although quantum key distribution (QKD) devices are already adopted outside the laboratories, current field implementations still suffer from high costs and low performances, preventing this emerging technology from a large-scale deployment in telecommunication networks. Here we present a simple, practical and efficient QKD scheme with finite-key analysis, performed over a 21 dB-losses fiber link installed in the metropolitan area of Florence (Italy). Coexistence of quantum and weak classical communication is also demonstrated by transmitting an optical synchronization signal through the same fiber link.

arXiv:1903.12501•Mar 29, 2019•4 citations

Field Trial of a Finite-Key Quantum Key Distribution System in the Metropolitan Florence Area

Davide Bacco, Leif Katsuo Oxenløwe, Alessandro Zavatta +8 more

In a society based on the continuous exchange of sensitive data and information, the importance of secure and trustful communications is essential. Quantum key distribution (QKD) makes it possible to share data in an unconditionally secure way exploiting the basic principles of Quantum Mechanics [1]. During the last 30 years, many QKD protocols have been developed and tested, achieving long distance transmission [2] and secret key rates up to hundreds of Mbits per second [3]. However, this technology is still far from a large-scale deployment in existing fiber networks and telecom infrastructures, due to multiple factors: low secret-key rate, limited distance between users, lack of applications, high costs and high requirements in terms of low noise fiber links.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 1, 2019•4 citations

Field trial of a three-state quantum key distribution scheme in the Florence metropolitan area

Davide Bacco, Ilaria Vagniluca, Beatrice Da Lio +8 more

Abstract In-field demonstrations in real-world scenarios boost the development of a rising technology towards its integration in existing infrastructures. Although quantum key distribution (QKD) devices are already adopted outside the laboratories, current field implementations still suffer from high costs and low performances, preventing this emerging technology from a large-scale deployment in telecommunication networks. Here we present a simple, practical and efficient QKD scheme with finite-key analysis, performed over a 21 dB-losses fiber link installed in the metropolitan area of Florence (Italy). Coexistence of quantum and weak classical communication is also demonstrated by transmitting an optical synchronization signal through the same fiber link.

EPJ Quantum Technology•Oct 28, 2019•66 citations

Resource-effective quantum key distribution: a field trial in Padua city center

Marco Avesani, Luca Calderaro, Giulio Foletto +9 more

Field trials are of key importance for novel technologies seeking commercialization and widespread adoption. This is also the case for quantum key distribution (QKD), which allows distant parties to distill a secret key with unconditional security. Typically, QKD demonstrations over urban infrastructures require complex stabilization and synchronization systems to maintain a low quantum bit error and high secret key rates over time. Here we present a field trial that exploits low-complexity self-stabilized hardware and a novel synchronization technique, to perform QKD over optical fibers deployed in the city center of Padua, Italy. Two techniques recently introduced by our research group are evaluated in a real-world environment: the iPOGNAC polarization encoder was used for preparation of the quantum states, while temporal synchronization was performed with the Qubit4Sync algorithm. The results here presented demonstrate the validity and robustness of our resource-effective QKD system, which can be easily and rapidly installed in an existing telecommunication infrastructure, thus representing an important step towards mature, efficient, and low-cost QKD systems.

arXiv:2012.08457•Optics Letters•Apr 28, 2021•41 citations

Field-trial quantum key distribution between Sicily and Malta

Davide Bacco, Domenico Ribezzo, Mujtaba Zahidy +9 more

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is the first commercial application of the second quantum revolution. Although QKD systems have already been developed and implemented all around the world, some open challenges are limiting the overall deployment of this technology (limited key rate, limited link distance, etc.). By improving the current QKD protocols, it is possible to increase the final secret key generation rate. In this work, we compare 1-decoy with 2-decoy methods in BB84 protocol over an underwater optical fiber link connecting Malta to Italy, showing that 2-decoy can achieve more than twice the key rate of 1-decoy method.

Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation•Mar 8, 2023•1 citation

Deployment-Ready Quantum Key Distribution Over a Classical Network Infrastructure in Padua

Marco Avesani, Giulio Foletto, Matteo Padovan +13 more

Current technological progress is driving Quantum Key Distribution towards a commercial and worldwide scale expansion. Its capability to deliver secure communication regardless of the computational power of the attackers will be a fundamental feature in the next generations of telecommunication networks. Nevertheless, demonstrations of QKD implementation in a real operating scenario and their coexistence with the classical telecom infrastructure are of fundamental importance for reliable exploitation. Here we present a Quantum Key Distribution application implemented over a classical fiber-based infrastructure. We exploit a 50 MHz source at 1550 nm, a single 13 km-long fiber cable for both the quantum and the classical channel, and a simplified receiver scheme with just one single-photon detector. In this way, we achieve an error rate of approximately 2% and a secret key rate of about 1.7 kbps, thus demonstrating the feasibility of low-cost and ready-to-use Quantum Key Distribution systems compatible with standard classical infrastructure.

arXiv:2109.13558•Journal of Lightwave Technology•Nov 24, 2021•1 citation
In-field demonstrations in real-world scenarios boost the development of quantum key distribution (QKD) towards its integration in existing infrastructures. Although QKD devices are already adopted outside the laboratories, current field implementations still suffer from high costs and low performances, preventing this technology from a large-scale deployment in telecommunication networks. Here, we present the developing of a cost-effective setup for QKD field trials, implemented for testing QKD performances in two different scenarios: (i) using an installed fiber link the metropolitan area of Florence (Italy); (ii) using a submarine optical fiber channel between Malta and Sicily.
In-field demonstrations in real-world scenarios boost the development of a rising technology towards its integration in existing infrastructures. Although quantum key distribution (QKD) devices are already adopted outside the laboratories, current field implementations still suffer from high costs and low performances, preventing this emerging technology from a large-scale deployment in telecommunication networks. Here we present a simple, practical and efficient QKD scheme with finite-key analysis, performed over a 21 dB-losses fiber link installed in the metropolitan area of Florence (Italy). Coexistence of quantum and weak classical communication is also demonstrated by transmitting an optical synchronization signal through the same fiber link.
In a society based on the continuous exchange of sensitive data and information, the importance of secure and trustful communications is essential. Quantum key distribution (QKD) makes it possible to share data in an unconditionally secure way exploiting the basic principles of Quantum Mechanics [1]. During the last 30 years, many QKD protocols have been developed and tested, achieving long distance transmission [2] and secret key rates up to hundreds of Mbits per second [3]. However, this technology is still far from a large-scale deployment in existing fiber networks and telecom infrastructures, due to multiple factors: low secret-key rate, limited distance between users, lack of applications, high costs and high requirements in terms of low noise fiber links.
Abstract In-field demonstrations in real-world scenarios boost the development of a rising technology towards its integration in existing infrastructures. Although quantum key distribution (QKD) devices are already adopted outside the laboratories, current field implementations still suffer from high costs and low performances, preventing this emerging technology from a large-scale deployment in telecommunication networks. Here we present a simple, practical and efficient QKD scheme with finite-key analysis, performed over a 21 dB-losses fiber link installed in the metropolitan area of Florence (Italy). Coexistence of quantum and weak classical communication is also demonstrated by transmitting an optical synchronization signal through the same fiber link.
Field trials are of key importance for novel technologies seeking commercialization and widespread adoption. This is also the case for quantum key distribution (QKD), which allows distant parties to distill a secret key with unconditional security. Typically, QKD demonstrations over urban infrastructures require complex stabilization and synchronization systems to maintain a low quantum bit error and high secret key rates over time. Here we present a field trial that exploits low-complexity self-stabilized hardware and a novel synchronization technique, to perform QKD over optical fibers deployed in the city center of Padua, Italy. Two techniques recently introduced by our research group are evaluated in a real-world environment: the iPOGNAC polarization encoder was used for preparation of the quantum states, while temporal synchronization was performed with the Qubit4Sync algorithm. The results here presented demonstrate the validity and robustness of our resource-effective QKD system, which can be easily and rapidly installed in an existing telecommunication infrastructure, thus representing an important step towards mature, efficient, and low-cost QKD systems.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is the first commercial application of the second quantum revolution. Although QKD systems have already been developed and implemented all around the world, some open challenges are limiting the overall deployment of this technology (limited key rate, limited link distance, etc.). By improving the current QKD protocols, it is possible to increase the final secret key generation rate. In this work, we compare 1-decoy with 2-decoy methods in BB84 protocol over an underwater optical fiber link connecting Malta to Italy, showing that 2-decoy can achieve more than twice the key rate of 1-decoy method.
Current technological progress is driving Quantum Key Distribution towards a commercial and worldwide scale expansion. Its capability to deliver secure communication regardless of the computational power of the attackers will be a fundamental feature in the next generations of telecommunication networks. Nevertheless, demonstrations of QKD implementation in a real operating scenario and their coexistence with the classical telecom infrastructure are of fundamental importance for reliable exploitation. Here we present a Quantum Key Distribution application implemented over a classical fiber-based infrastructure. We exploit a 50 MHz source at 1550 nm, a single 13 km-long fiber cable for both the quantum and the classical channel, and a simplified receiver scheme with just one single-photon detector. In this way, we achieve an error rate of approximately 2% and a secret key rate of about 1.7 kbps, thus demonstrating the feasibility of low-cost and ready-to-use Quantum Key Distribution systems compatible with standard classical infrastructure.