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Wave Electronics and its Application in Information and Telecommunication Systems (WECONF)

Quantum Key Distribution Through All-Dielectric Cable Under Close Lightning Strike

O. S. Belova, D. V. Bolotov, O. V. Kolesnikov, Жуликов Сергей Сергеевич, Tat’yana K. KIVSHAR

Published May 12, 2025• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum key distribution technology is increasingly used in the modern world, including for organizing secure information exchange. However, the influence of various external influences on such communication channels has not been studied enough. The paper presents the results of a study of the influence of discharges simulating lightning near a communication channel on the quantum distribution of a key transmitted over the channel. The quantum key was transmitted using a scientific and educational complex using phase coding. Despite the significant difference in the time of discharge action and the time of key formation, in some cases an increase in quantum bit errors is noted. A sharp jump in QBER was observed during the discharge, and a further slow increase in bit errors after the end of the discharge current.

DOI
10.1109/weconf65186.2025.11017266

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Quantum key distribution technology is increasingly used in the modern world, including for organizing secure information exchange. However, the influence of various external influences on such communication channels has not been studied enough. The paper presents the results of a study of the influence of discharges simulating lightning near a communication channel on the quantum distribution of a key transmitted over the channel. The quantum key was transmitted using a scientific and educational complex using phase coding. Despite the significant difference in the time of discharge action and the time of key formation, in some cases an increase in quantum bit errors is noted. A sharp jump in QBER was observed during the discharge, and a further slow increase in bit errors after the end of the discharge current.
Subject of study. Technology for quantum key distribution in fiber-optic communication lines under the influence of electromagnetic fields generated by atmospheric discharges is studied. Aim of study. A test bench for testing experimental techniques to be used in studying the effect of atmospheric discharges on transmission of a quantum key via fiber-optic communication lines is developed. Method. The characteristics of a quantum communication channel upon exposure of a coil containing an optical fiber to a magnetic field from a pulsed current are experimentally studied. Main results. An experimental test bench has been created and methods have been developed to evaluate the influence of magnetic fields arising from atmospheric discharges (lightning) on the transmission speed of a quantum key in fiber-optic communication lines. It was shown that quantum key distribution blocks using the BB84 phase-encoding protocol continue to show operational stability when the optical cable is exposed to alternating magnetic fields of up to 1.2 mT. However, the very fact of exposure to magnetic fields above 0.8 mT can be detected by a systematic decrease in the quantum key transmission rate and an increase in the quantum bit error rate (QBER) by 0.5%–1%. Practical significance. The laboratory test bench and methods developed herein support magnetic-field testing of various optical cables used for transmission of qubits. Fiber-optic networks through which qubits are transmitted can serve as a distributed lightning sensor; an increase in the level of quantum errors and a decrease in quantum key generation rate will be observed in any segment of an optical network where a lightning discharge generates strong magnetic fields.
Abstract An electric-discharge electromagnetic-field impact results on the operation of a quantum communication installation using phase encoding of information are considered. When simulating close lightning discharges using a pulse voltage generator, a decrease in a sifted key’s generation rate and an increase in quantum bit errors were recorded, but the pulse effect was significantly shorter than the frequency of a quantum key’s formation and could not have a significant effect on the line’s operation. In addition, the heating of the quantum key distribution units as a result of long-term operation can contribute to the change in the quantum communication’s measured parameters.
Modern research shows the influence of atmospheric electricity and lightning on the operation of fiber optic communication lines. In particular, such effects can affect the currently developing communication systems protected by quantum key distribution technology. Modern communication systems using quantum key distribution technology can be tuned out from various "slow" external effects caused by thermal or mechanical effects. However, lightning discharges and the strong electromagnetic fields induced by them are capable of exerting an effect in the microsecond range. Since it is difficult to collect the amount of information necessary for analysis using only natural measurements, this paper describes the results of physical modeling of the effect of both lightning discharges and strong electromagnetic fields caused by thunderstorm activity on signals transmitted via optical communication lines.
The Kerr effect and the Faraday effect are considered for studying the effects of the transverse electric field and the longitudinal magnetic field of lightning in an optical fiber. Presented are experimental study results of electromagnetic fields created by discharges between an artificial thunderstorm cloud and the ground obtained while using the experimental measurement complex “GROZA”. The study results of quantum communication channel and its characteristics, when affected by a magnetic field created by a pulsed current on fiber-optic communication lines are presented. It is demonstrated that an optical cable, through which data protected by quantum key distribution technology is transmitted, can be used as a sensor of alternating magnetic fields, as well as lightning discharges, where transmission characteristics such as reduction of the quantum key transmission rate and QBER increase are used as means of registration.
Abstract The effect of atmospheric electricity on the operation of fiber-optic communication lines has been studied on an electrophysical installation designed to simulate lightning in laboratory conditions. The change in the polarization state of the linearly polarized radiation transmitted over a fiber-optic cable has been measured using a high-speed polarimeter. During the experiments with a frequency of 100 MHz, a change in the polarization state has been monitored. For the first time, rapid rotations of the plane of polarization, the formation of elliptical polarization, and changes in the angle of ellipticity when exposed to atmospheric discharges on an optical cable have been recorded with precise reference. The effect of maintaining the radiation polarization state when the high voltage is turned off at an electrophysical installation has been discovered.
A laboratory setup has been created that makes it possible to conduct comprehensive studies of the influence of atmospheric discharges on the transmission of quantum keys over optical communication lines. The effect of a strong action of an electric field from a charged water aerosol on the polarization of radiation passing along an all-dielectric fiber-optic cable has been found. The dynamics of changes in the optical fiber arising from the action of electrostatic fields of a charged cloud, preceding the electrical breakdown of air, has been registered. An analysis of the need to protect quantum networks from the effects of atmospheric discharges is presented.