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Frequency-Bin Quantum Key Distribution With Entangled Photons Generated by a Silicon Photonic Chip

Noemi Tagliavacche, Massimo Borghi, Giulia Guarda, Domenico Ribezzo, Marco Liscidini, Davide Bacco, Mattéo Galli, Daniele Bajoni

Published Jan 1, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We demonstrate the BBM92 quantum key distribution protocol using frequency-bin entangled photon pairs generated by two independent, high-finesse, ring resonators on a silicon photonic chip.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_fs.2025.ff114_1

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Entanglement is an essential ingredient in many quantum communication protocols. In particular, entanglement can be exploited in quantum key distribution (QKD) to generate two correlated random bit strings whose randomness is guaranteed by the nonlocal property of quantum mechanics. Most of QKD protocols tested to date rely on polarization and/or time-bin encoding. Despite compatibility with existing fiber-optic infrastructure and ease of manipulation with standard components, frequency-bin QKD have not yet been fully explored. Here we report a demonstration of entanglement-based QKD using frequency-bin encoding. We implement the BBM92 protocol using photon pairs generated by two independent, high-finesse, ring resonators on a silicon photonic chip. We perform a passive basis selection scheme and simultaneously record sixteen projective measurements. A key finding is that frequency-bin encoding is sensitive to the random phase noise induced by thermal fluctuations of the environment. To correct for this effect, we developed a real-time adaptive phase rotation of the measurement basis, achieving stable transmission over a 26 km fiber spool with a secure key rate ≥ 4.5 bit/s. Our work introduces a new degree of freedom for the realization of entangled based QKD protocols in telecom networks.
Entanglement is an essential ingredient in many quantum communication protocols. In particular, entanglement can be exploited in quantum key distribution (QKD) to generate two correlated random bit strings whose randomness is guaranteed by the non-local property of quantum mechanics. While QKD protocols based on polarization and time-bin entanglement have been experimentally realized, secure key distribution based on frequency-bin entangled photon sources have not yet been demonstrated. We experimentally implement the BBM92 protocol using a frequency-bin encoded entangled state, generated by an integrated source of photon pairs in a silicon photonic chip. We execute a passive basis selection scheme and simultaneously record sixteen projective measurements over two mutually unbiased basis sets. An adaptive rotation of the measurement base is introduced to compensate the random relative phase fluctuation b e tween t h e t w o 1 5 -GHz-spaced frequency bins in a fiber l o op. S t able t r ansmission o ver a 2 6 k m fi be r sp oo l is de mo nstrated wi th a se cr et ke y ra te ≥ 4.5 bit/s.
Entanglement is an essential ingredient in many quantum communication protocols. In particular, entanglement can be exploited in quantum key distribution (QKD) to generate two correlated random bit strings whose randomness is guaranteed by the non-local property of quantum mechanics. While QKD protocols based on polarization and time-bin entanglement have been widely investigated, secure key distribution based on frequency-bin entangled photon sources have received only minor attentions.Here we experimentally implement the BBM92 protocol using a frequency-bin encoded entangled state, generated by an integrated source of photon pairs in a silicon photonic chip. We execute a passive basis selection scheme and simultaneously record sixteen projective measurements over two mutually unbiased basis sets. An adaptive rotation of the measurement base is introduced to compensate the random relative phase fluctuation between the two 15-GHz-spaced frequency bins in a fiber spool.Stable transmission over a 26 km fiber spool is demonstrated with a secret key rate ≥ 4.5 bit/s.