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Japanese Journal of Applied Physics

Enhancing dual-band stabilization for twin-field quantum key distribution using laser frequency stabilization

Riho Amaki, Yohei Sugiyama, Yuto Shitaka, Isawa Yuta, Tomoki Tsuno, Daisuke Yoshida, Koji Nagano, Tomoyuki Horikiri, Daisuke Akamatsu, Feng-Lei Hong

Published May 23, 2025• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) has attracted considerable attention in quantum communication for the extension of secure communication distance. In TF-QKD, precise photon phase control is required and has been realized using dual-band stabilization (DBS). In this study, we performed residual phase noise reduction in DBS using laser frequency stabilization. The achieved frequency stability of the light sources was better than 1 × 10 −12 when the averaging time is larger than 1 s, indicating that the laser frequency variation was less than 200 Hz at 1.5 μm. The integrated phase noise at 1 s was less than 200 mrad, and the corresponding quantum bit error rate at 1 s was less than 1% after applying laser frequency stabilization. This result demonstrates that the stringent phase stability requirements in TF-QKD can be achieved without relying on complex optical frequency combs, enabling a simpler and more cost-effective experimental setup.

DOI
10.35848/1347-4065/addca8

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Abstract Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) has attracted considerable attention in quantum communication for the extension of secure communication distance. In TF-QKD, precise photon phase control is required and has been realized using dual-band stabilization (DBS). In this study, we performed residual phase noise reduction in DBS using laser frequency stabilization. The achieved frequency stability of the light sources was better than 1 × 10 −12 when the averaging time is larger than 1 s, indicating that the laser frequency variation was less than 200 Hz at 1.5 μm. The integrated phase noise at 1 s was less than 200 mrad, and the corresponding quantum bit error rate at 1 s was less than 1% after applying laser frequency stabilization. This result demonstrates that the stringent phase stability requirements in TF-QKD can be achieved without relying on complex optical frequency combs, enabling a simpler and more cost-effective experimental setup.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is critical for future proofed secure communication. Satellites will be necessary to mediate QKD on a global scale. The limitations of the existing quantum memory and repeater technology mean that twin-field QKD (TF-QKD) provides the most feasible near-term solution to perform QKD with an untrusted satellite. However, the TF-QKD requires links between ground stations and satellites to be phase stable. We show that phase stabilization of the links to LEO and MEO satellites is feasible in spite of phase noise due to atmospheric turbulence, laser instability, and path length asymmetry while only incurring a quantum bit error rate (QBER) penalty of less than 1.5%. These results are also applicable to future untrusted satellite networks employing precisely synchronized quantum memories or quantum repeaters.
Twin-field quantum key distribution exploits single-photon interference to provide long-haul secure communication. However, real-time phase tracking between optical signals sent from opposite ends of the communication link is necessary to realize this scheme. Here the authors show that it is feasible to apply independent optical frequency combs in a quantum communication field trial, using a coherent dual-band stabilization technique. A practical finite-size-secure-key rate of 0.53 bit/s is recorded over a 546-km link connecting two major cities in China. This study represents a significant setup toward the integration of long-distance fiber links into quantum networks.
Twin-field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) has rapidly risen as the most viable solution to long-distance secure fibre communication thanks to its fundamentally repeater-like rate-loss scaling. However, its implementation complexity, if not successfully addressed, could impede or even prevent its advance into real-world. To satisfy its requirement for twin-field coherence, all present setups adopted essentially a gigantic, resource-inefficient interferometer structure that lacks scalability that mature QKD systems provide with simplex quantum links. Here we introduce a technique that can stabilise an open channel without using a closed interferometer and has general applicability to phase-sensitive quantum communications. Using locally generated frequency combs to establish mutual coherence, we develop a simple and versatile TF-QKD setup that does not need service fibre and can operate over links of 100 km asymmetry. We confirm the setup's repeater-like behaviour and obtain a finite-size rate of 0.32 bit/s at a distance of 615.6 km.
Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) is recognized as a promising approach to surpass the repeaterless key rate bound, playing a pivotal role in long-distance quantum communication. However, conventional TF-QKD implementations rely on laser coherence, where coherent-state sources differ fundamentally from the non-classical light sources required for future quantum networks. Recent advances demonstrate that quantum dot (QD) sources can generate high-purity coherent single-photon states on demand, exhibiting both perfect antibunching and long coherence times akin to laser source. Here, we propose a six-state TF-QKD protocol utilizing coherent single-photon states, which can be directly achieved through current experimental techniques. Simulation results indicate that our protocol achieves significantly enhanced key rates and extended transmission distances. Moreover, a data size on the order of 108 is sufficient to surpass the repeaterless key rate bound, demonstrating particular robustness against finite-size effects. Our work paves the way for the direct implementation of long-distance quantum key distribution utilizing future quantum network infrastructure.
Abstract The twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) requires that two lasers hundreds of kilometers apart must have the same frequency to achieve the high single-photon interference visibility. This means that both lasers need to be stabilized to the same frequency reference. A simple and robust system is presented for simultaneously stabilizing two 1550-nm lasers at the single-photon level. By utilizing the single-photon multi-frequency modulation technology, both the fiber laser and distributed feedback (DFB) laser are stabilized to the π -phase shifted fiber Bragg grating at the same time. The frequency fluctuations of fiber laser and DFB laser are bounded within 1.39 MHz and 1.53 MHz over 2000 s, respectively. These two frequency-stabilized 1550-nm lasers could be used for TF-QKD.