Private Communication using Single Photon Signal

Yan‐Feng Lang

P. M. Intallura

Eric Donkor

We describe a Quantum Key Distribution protocol that combines temporal-, spectraland polarization-encoding of photons for secure communication over an interconnected network of users. Temporal encoding is used to identify a user’s location or address on the network. Polarization encoding is used to generate private cryptographic key. Polarization encoded information is locally and randomly generated by users and exchanged only over a dedicated secure channel. Spectral encoding allows for the detection of eavesdropping and tampering by a malicious agent. Temporal-spectral signals sent from the network administrator (Alice) to a user are bright light source. On the other hand spectral-temporal signal from a network user (Bob) to the administrator (Alice) are single photons. Signals are sent across the network as ordered light pairs. The ordering format is randomly chosen and are revealed only at the time of key selection between the parties so that a secure one-time cryptographic pad can be generated

Zhensen Gao, Lei Liao, Biao Su +6 more

Achieving photonic layer security at the lowest network layer to supplement the upper layer digital cryptography in fiber-optic networks is a constant pursuit but a critical challenge. In this Letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a high-speed photonic-layer secure optical communication system based on a novel, to the best of our knowledge, common noise driven synchronous private temporal phase en/decryption scheme, which is capable of supporting high-order modulation formats and enhancing security. A record high bit rate of 56 Gb/s 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM4) confidential signal is successfully encrypted and decrypted by remotely synchronized private noise-like en/decryption signals after secret transmission over 20 km of optical fiber with a bit-error-rate (BER) lower than the hard-decision forward error correction (HD-FEC) limit. The demonstrated scheme may provide a promising way for future ultrahigh-speed photonic-layer secure optical communication.

Muhammad Amad Khan, Prof Tasawar

Harald Weinfurter