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Quantum-secured communications overlay for optical fiber communications networks

J. E. Nordholt

Published Jan 23, 2023• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Quantum secure communication systems communicate quantum signals for quantum key distribution and classical signals with encrypted data and commands via a single optical fiber. In some systems, the single fiber carries classical data in both directions along with quantum communications. For example, quantum keys can be used to encrypt packets for bidirectional communication between two parties. In other systems, a single fiber is used for one way classical communications and quantum communications. The communication systems are secured using a security parameter based on the quantum and classical communications across the optical fiber.

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Quantum secure communication systems communicate quantum signals for quantum key distribution and classical signals with encrypted data and commands via a single optical fiber. In some systems, the single fiber carries classical data in both directions along with quantum communications. For example, quantum keys can be used to encrypt packets for bidirectional communication between two parties. In other systems, a single fiber is used for one way classical communications and quantum communications. The communication systems are secured using a security parameter based on the quantum and classical communications across the optical fiber.
Optical fibers form the backbone of our modern communication systems with ubiquitous use from connecting data centers to long distance links. In many cases, these links are used to transport highly sensitive information. QKD (Quantum Key Distribution) can be an ideal solution to protect data with the highest level of security. QKD systems are designed in such a way as to reduce the resources required for their implementation. They should be easily integrated into already existing optical communication networks without special requirements for optical cables.
The quantum key distribution (QKD) method allows for the safe creation of encryption keys between trusted entities for secure communication. The suggested system is designed to enable secure communication between multiple parties (a single sender, Alice, and multiple receivers, Bobs) connected via a public channel susceptible to interception. It enables Alice to privately share encryption keys with each Bob over dedicated quantum channels, which can then be used to decrypt messages sent over the public network. The procedure involves Alice generating optical signals with randomly assigned properties such as intensity, phase, polarization, and frequencies. Alice randomly sends either signal states carrying information or decoy states with different frequencies to the receivers (Bobs) over the quantum channels. She also sends a synchronization signal for timing alignment with the quantum signals over the optical links. At the receiving end, the synchronization pulse timestamps the incoming quantum signals. Each Bob then randomly alters the frequencies of the received quantum signals and randomly measures their phase or polarization. The key is created from the frequency, phase, or polarization information of the quantum signals, resulting in longer keys. Key management agents manage the securely QKD-generated keys to encrypt information before sending it to the intended receivers. Essentially, this framework establishes authenticated, private communication by using QKD over dedicated ultra-secure quantum links to distribute decryption keys, ensuring that only intended users can access the content. The approach is designed to ensure end-to-end secure communication across the network.
Secure communication became extremely important in the Information Age. Quantum communication protocols have been developed to provide absolutely secure transmission of information. Historically, quantum key distribution (QKD) uses the two-dimensional polarization basis to encode information and the key element of long-distance communication is single-mode optical fiber. However, it intrinsically limits the information content to 1 bit per photon. Nowadays, significant effort is devoted to increase the data carrying capacity of a single quantum secure optical line. Large-core multimode fibers support a multitude of transverse optical modes and can potentially transfer information at much higher density.
Optical communications have enabled high-speed data transmission over long distances. However, data are transmitted plain unless are encrypted on higher layers, e.g., IP and TCP, precisely because of: i) the high data rates; and ii) the need of secure key exchange between the end-points of the optical connection. Meanwhile, quantum enabled cryptography has emerged as a promising solution for securing communications by leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics which provides unlimited and unconditional security. Although Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocols can deliver quantum keys to distant end-points, there are scenarios where one of them is not within the security perimeter of the quantum network. This demonstration focuses on the intersection of optical communication and quantum security, highlighting the synergies between these two domains and their potential to ensure secure communication networks. We explore the integration of optical communication with quantum technologies and showcase how optical encryption using quantum keys retrieved from QKD and Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) systems is performed. Retrieved keys are expanded to the required rate and then used to encrypt the input data at line speed.
The secure distribution of the secret random bit sequences known as `key' material, is an essential precursor to their use for the encryption and decryption of confidential communications. Quantum cryptography is an emerging technology for secure key distribution with single-photon transmissions: Heisenburg's uncertainty principle ensures that an adversary can neither successfully tap the key transmissions, nor evade detection (eavesdropping raises the key error rate above a threshold value). We have developed experimental quantum cryptography systems based on the transmission of non-orthogonal single-photon states to generate shared key material over multi-kilometer optical fiber paths and over line-of-sight links. In both cases, key material is built up using the transmission of a single- photon per bit of an initial secret random sequence. A quantum-mechanically random subset of this sequence is identified, becoming the key material after a data reconciliation stage with the sender. In our optical fiber experiment we have performed quantum key distribution over 24-km of underground optical fiber using single-photon interference states, demonstrating that secure, real-time key generation over `open' multi-km node-to-node optical fiber communications links is possible.
Quantum key distribution is an application of quantum physics that allows two distant partners to securely distribute shared random secrets which they can use for secure message encryption, authentication or other communication tasks. In this thesis, I study and implement several concepts, protocols and their components, in particular single photon detectors. I evaluate its compatibility with fiber infrastructures with the aim to improve applicability, performance and profitability of quantum key distribution in different scenarios. I present superconducting single photon detectors implemented for long distance quantum communication, as well as semiconductor detectors employing rapid sine gating schemes. Wavelength-multiplexing of quantum and classical communication channels is demonstrated to stabilize a polarization-encoded quantum channel against birefringence fluctuations, and to realize quantum and encrypted communication over one fiber. An implementation of the coherent one-way protocol is presented which features a hardware distillation engine, wavelength-multiplexing, and an analysis of finite key effects and authentication costs.