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Chinese Physics B

Short-wave infrared continuous-variable quantum key distribution over satellite-to-submarine channels

Qingquan Peng, Qin Liao, Hai Quan Zhong, Junkai Hu, Ying Guo

Published Jan 7, 2022• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.1088/1674-1056/ac490a

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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.
We propose a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) scheme based on the atmosphere-to-seawater channel. In particular, an untrusted entanglement source (two modes of the compressed vacuum state, TMSV) is deployed on the surface of the seawater, each mode of TMSV is sent to one of the two legitimate parts, respectively. In this way, we can establish a trans-media CVQKD link between the atmosphere and the underwater. Meanwhile, a suitable non-Gaussian operation, namely photon subtraction, is introduced to enhance the performance of the trans-media CVQKD scheme. Security analysis shows that the proposed scheme can establish a trans-media quantum communication system on the atmosphere-to-seawater channel. Moreover, the maximum transmission distance can be further extended by using proper photon subtraction operation. Our scheme provides a guidance for applying CVQKD to trans-media channels.
A continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) can be realized over the seawater channel, but the transmission of quantum signals in seawater media exhibits significant attenuation effects. Therefore, we propose an N-symbol amplitude and phase shift keying (N-APSK) modulation scheme to enhance the transmission performance of the CVQKD over the seawater channel. Specifically, an optimal N-APSK modulation scheme is designed based on the principle of maximizing the minimum Euclidean distance (MED). The simulation results show that the CVQKD protocol based on N-APSK modulation achieves a longer transmission distance over the seawater channel compared to the Gaussian modulation protocol. Additionally, increasing the value of N simultaneously expands the number of rings in the constellation diagram, further enhancing the communication distance. This study transfers modulation methods from the field of classical communications to the field of quantum communications, achieving a substantial improvement in communication distance and thereby promoting the integration of quantum communications and classical communications.
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.
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 .
Quantum key distribution with continuous-variable (CVQKD) provides an alternative way for the security improvement of underwater optical communication, but facing into the awkward situation of short distance. For this reason, here we exploit photon addition operation at the emitter into enhancing the performance of underwater CVQKD. Based on numerical simulation, it is shown that applying photon-addition non-Gaussian operation between entangled resource and the sender can further enhance both the secure key rate and the transmission distance, compared to apply photon subtraction operation between entangled resource and the receiver. In addition, the influence of seawater quality factors in underwater CVQKD system is also considered, so as to provide technical support for underwater safety communication.
Continuous variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) can be potentially implemented through seawater channels, whereas the involved oceanic turbulence has a negative effect on the maximal transmission distance of quantum communication systems. Here, we demonstrate the effects of the oceanic turbulence on the performance of the CVQKD system and suggest an implementation feasibility of the passive CVQKD through the oceanic turbulence-based channel. We achieve the channel transmittance characterized by the transmission distance and depth of the seawater. Moreover, a non-Gaussian approach is used for performance improvement while counteracting the effects of excess noises on the oceanic channel. Numerical simulations show that the photon operation (PO) unit can bring reductions of excess noise when taking into account the oceanic turbulence, and hence results in performance improvement in terms of transmission distance and depth as well. The passive CVQKD explores the intrinsic field fluctuations of a thermal source without using an active scheme and hence has a promising application in chip integration for portable quantum communications.