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Optics Letters

Experimental demonstration of polarization-based decoy-state BB84 quantum key distribution utilizing a single laser and a single detector

Alfonso Tello Castillo, Cameron Simmons, Ross J. Donaldson

Published Jan 6, 2025• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

As quantum key distribution progresses into commercial products and services, there is growing interest in technological solutions that improve performance and/or reduce costs. We present an experimental demonstration of the polarization-based three-level decoy-state BB84 quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol, at a clock frequency of 50 MHz, that relies on fewer resources at the receiver and increases robustness to side-channel attacks for both the transmitter and receiver. A single-laser source and cascade of electro-optic modulators provide the four polarization states, while a photonic recombiner with time-multiplexed inputs enables detection with a single detector.

DOI
10.1364/ol.541648

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arXiv:2403.02309•Mar 4, 2024•0 citations
As quantum key distribution progresses into commercial products and services, there is growing interest in technological solutions that improve performance and/or reduce costs. We present an experimental demonstration of the polarization-based three-level decoy-state BB84 quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol, at a clock frequency of 50 MHz, that relies on fewer resources at the receiver and increases robustness to side-channel attacks for both the transmitter and receiver. A single-laser source and cascade of electro-optic modulators provide the four polarization states, while a photonic recombiner with time-multiplexed inputs enables detection with a single detector.
As quantum key distribution progresses into commercial products and services, there is growing interest in technological solutions that improve performance and/or reduce costs. We present an experimental demonstration of polarization-based decoy-state BB84 quantum key distribution protocol, at a clock frequency of 50 MHz, that relies on fewer resources at the receiver and increases robustness to side-channel attacks for both transmitter and receiver. A single-laser source and cascade of electro-optic modulators provide the four polarization states, while a photonic recombiner with time-multiplexed inputs enables detection with a single single-photon detector.
As quantum key distribution progresses into commercial products and services, there is growing interest in technological solutions that improve performance and/or reduce costs. We present an experimental demonstration of polarization-based decoy-state BB84 quantum key distribution protocol, at a clock frequency of 50 MHz, that relies on fewer resources at the receiver and increases robustness to side-channel attacks for both transmitter and receiver. A single-laser source and cascade of electro-optic modulators provide the four polarization states, while a photonic recombiner with time-multiplexed inputs enables detection with a single single-photon detector.
As quantum communications (QC), in particular quantum key distribution (QKD) transitions from lab curiosity to commercial implementation, cost reduction will become essential to increase the user number and thus make commercialisation viable. QC is hardware intensive, meaning new and novel techniques and technologies are essential to that cost reduction strategy. We present an experimental demonstration of a polarisation-based decoy-state BB84 QKD protocol utilising a single laser source (enabled by application of cascaded electro-optic modulator to perform the pulse-carving and encoding) and single single-photon avalanche diode (enabled by the application of space-to-time multiplexing), which reduced the hardware requirements for the QKD transmitter and receiver, is presented.
Due to today's communication demands, we require a highly secure key rate. However, there is still a significant room for improvement. This paper proposes a method to enhance the decoy state BB84 Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) on the transmitter side. Since some studies have indicated that the switching speed of optical switches can reach the attosecond level, we aim to utilize optical switches to generate more qubits per unit of time. Due to the need for proper experimental equipment and single photon detectors, we could only conduct a proof-of-concept experiment to validate our idea. We also generate the electrical signals using Python Productivity for ZYNQ (PYNQ) to control the intensity modulator for creating decoy states and our switch design for generating polarization states. Our experimental results clearly distinguish between decoy states and polarization states. Furthermore, it also aligns with our simulation results. The advantages of our transmitter design include: a) Using an optical switch to increase the critical rate. b) Enhancing system stability by employing a single laser and a fixed polarization generation instrument. c) FPGA is easily integrated with other systems. d) User-friendly key generation and comparison are done through Python. In addition, while this paper focuses on the study of decoy-state BB84, it is also feasible to consider the utilization of optical switches in other QKD protocols.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) has become an essential technology in the realm of secure communication, with applications ranging from secure data transmission to quantum networks. This paper presents a simple, compact, and cost-effective setup for undergraduate tutorial demonstrations of QKD. It relies on using weak coherent pulses, which can be readily produced using an attenuated laser. The system employs the simplified three-state BB84 protocol in free space, with states encoded using linear polarization. Polarization encoding can be done passively or actively, depending on the budget available. Time multiplexing is implemented at the receiver to reduce the number of required detectors. Only two detectors are used to implement measurements on two bases, with a total of four outcomes. The result demonstrates the practicality of the system for free-space quantum communication, and its compact and portable nature makes it particularly suitable for pedagogical demonstrations. This work paves the way for engaging undergraduate students in the field of quantum communication through hands-on laboratory projects.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has become an essential technology in the realm of secure communication, with applications ranging from secure data transmission to quantum networks. This paper presents a simple, compact, and cost-effective setup for undergraduate tutorial demonstrations of QKD. It relies on using weak coherent pulses, which can be readily produced using an attenuated laser. The system employs the simplified three-state BB84 protocol in free space, the states are encoded using linear polarization. Polarization encoding can be done passively or actively, depending on the budget available. Time multiplexing is implemented at the receiver to reduce the number of required detectors. Only two detectors are used to implement measurements on two bases, with a total of four outcomes. The result demonstrates the practicality of the system for free-space quantum communication, and its compact and portable nature makes it particularly suitable for pedagogical demonstrations. This work paves the way for engaging undergraduate students in the field of quantum communication through hands-on laboratory projects.