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OSA Advanced Photonics Congress

Physical-Layer Impairment in Integrating QKD to Optical Fiber Networks

Rui Lin, Morteza Ahmadian, Chao Lei

Published Jan 1, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We will review the integration challenges of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) into telecommunication infrastructures, with particular focus on the physical-layer impairments caused by the co-propagation of classical signals within the fiber and during switching processes. Full-text article not available; see video presentation
DOI
10.1364/networks.2025.new2c.1

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This paper reports the network operator point of view about the introduction of quantum key distribution (QKD) in optical networks to secure the data plane and/or specific applications, focusing on the design aspects that go beyond pure transmission. The functional architecture of a quantum key distribution network is depicted focusing on the integration in the existing telecommunications infrastructure. Some use cases of the utilization of the QKD layer, presenting results from in-field demonstrations, are reported together with a technology agnostic numerical model about resource sharing in a metropolitan area network environment.
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Quantum communications is an emerging field with many promising applications. Its usefulness and range of applicability in optical fiber will depend strongly on the extent to which quantum channels can be reliably transported over transparent reconfigurable optical networks, rather than being limited to dedicated point-to-point links. This presents a number of challenges, particularly when single-photon quantum and much higher power classical optical signals are combined onto a single physical infrastructure to take advantage of telecom networks built to carry conventional traffic. In this paper, we report on experimental demonstrations of successful quantum key distribution (QKD) in this complex environment, and on measurements of physical-layer impairments, including Raman scattering from classical optical channels, which can limit QKD performance. We then extend the analysis using analytical models incorporating impairments, to investigate QKD performance while multiplexed with conventional data channels at other wavelengths. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results for evaluating the most promising domains of use for QKD in real-world optical networks.
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