Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Acta Physica Sinica

An effective active phase compensation method for quantum key distribution system

Jindong Wang, Qin Xiao-Juan, Zhengjun Wei, Liu Xiao-bao, Liao Chang-Jun, Songhao Liu, (1)广东广播电视大学工程技术系，广州 510091; (2)华南师范大学信息光电子科技学院光子信息技术广东省高校重点实验室，广州 510006

Published Jan 1, 2010• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) system must be robust enough in practical communication. The system performance is notably affected by phase drift. For the fiber-based phase-encoded quantum key distribution system, the Faraday-Michelson QKD scheme can auto-compensate the birefringence of fiber, but phase drift caused by environment variations is still a serious problem in practical operation. In this paper, the major schemes to compensate for the phase drift are analyzed in detail and an “five-phase”effective active phase compensation method is proposed. The comparison with other two major active phase compensation schemes also given. The result shows that this method uses less time to acquire the parameter of phase drift with the same precision and it can be used in phase-encoded QKD systems without introducing additional devices.

DOI
10.7498/aps.59.281

Related papers

Experimental demonstration of a local active phase compensation method for a phase encoding quantum key distribution system

Yue Zhang, Junyue Yin, Huiqing Zhao +7 more

An efficient phase stabilization method is required in quantum key distribution (QKD) systems for stability in practical applications. The existing active phase compensation method has limitations in multi-node network applications, especially in network-scale applications based on measurement-device-independent QKD systems. In this study, we propose a local active phase compensation scheme that can realize phase compensation independently for each interferometer node. We performed experimental demonstrations in the BB84 phase encoding system based on a Faraday-Michelson interferometer. The average QBER rates of the system under two different forms of the reference light were found to be 1.9% and 1.6%. This scheme can also be applied to other QKD systems and has potential for application in future quantum communication networks.

Applied Optics•Aug 19, 2022•2 citations

Real-time compensation of phase drift for phase-encoded quantum key distribution systems

Lijun Zhang, Yonggang Wang, Zhen−Qiang Yin +7 more

Phase drift is an inherent problem in phase-encoded quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. The current active phase tracking and compensation solutions cannot satisfy the requirements of a system with nonlinearity in phase modulation. This paper presents a four-phase scanning method, which is based on the quantitative analysis of the quantum bit error rate (QBER) from phase drift and the performance requirements of phase compensation. By obtaining the four interference fringes and adjusting the coding matrix of the system, this method automatically calculates the accurate driving voltages for the phase modulator. The implementation and experimental tests show that the proposed method can compensate phase drift caused by environmental changes and the system’s nonlinearity, and is applicable to large-scale QKD networks.

Chinese Science Bulletin•Jul 11, 2011•21 citations

Active phase compensation in phase encoded QKD system based on least square algorithm

Cao Zheng-we

Phase drift is the main source of errors for phase encoding quantum key distribution(QKD) system,and it is an important factor influencing the practical applications of the system.At present,there are some kinds of methods to solve the phase drift problem.They may reduce the phase drift to some extent,but they also have many shortcomings,such as large amount of calculation,low accuracy and complex system.In this paper,we put forward a kind of active phase compensation method based on least squares.Scanning a small number phase points under the condition of a single photon,we can get phase compensation parameters by applying the least square algorithm.The experimental results show that the method gains phase drift parameter in shorter time with less computational cost to complete the realtime active compensation.It can improve the QKD system′s performance and efficiency to a certain extent.

Journal of Optoelectronics·laser•Jan 1, 2014•0 citations

Real-Time Phase Tracking Scheme With Mismatched-Basis Data for Phase-Coding Quantum Key Distribution

Dong Wang, Xiaotian Song, Liangjiang Zhou +1 more

Phase drift is an inevitable problem in the practical implementation of phase-coding quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. Conventional active phase tracking and compensation solutions cannot be implemented during the key transmission process, resulting in reduced efficiency of the system. In this paper, we propose a single-photon level real-time phase tracking scheme using only the estimated quantum bit error rate (QBER) and mismatched-basis data to acquire the phase drift parameter instead of a phase scanning process or reference light pulses, without extra hardware or interrupting the transmission of quantum signals. This scheme is applied into a phase-coding QKD system with active phase disturbance and obtains an average QBER of $1.01\%$ with a standard derivation of $0.37\%$ over 50 h of continuous operation. Experimental results show that this scheme enables QKD systems to operate continuously with long-term stability and keep a low level of QBER even with rapid phase drift, suggesting its suitability for practical applications.

IEEE photonics journal•Apr 13, 2020•9 citations

Quantum key distribution based on phase encoding and polarization measurement

Haiqiang Ma, Zhao Jian-Ling, Ling-An Wu

A one-way quantum key distribution scheme based on intrinsically stable Faraday-mirror-type Michelson interferometers with four-port polarizing beam splitters has been demonstrated that can compensate for birefringence effects automatically. The encoding is performed with phase modulators, but decoding is accomplished through measurement of the polarization state of Bob's photons. An extinction ratio of about 30 dB was maintained for several hours over 50 km of fiber at 1310 nm without any adjustment to the setup, which shows its good potential for practical systems.

arXiv:quant-ph/0702086•Optics Letters•Feb 15, 2007•18 citations

Real-time low-frequency vibration phase drift tracking and auto-compensation in phase-coded quantum key distribution system

Banghong Guo, Lu Yi-Qun, Wang Fa-Qiang +6 more

Phase drift caused by environment is the main source of quantum bit error rate and instability in the double M-Z interferometer quantum key distribution(QKD) system. The phase drift consists of both high-frequency and low-frequency vibrations, the former, which is due to environment noise, is usually conducted via the atmosphere and can be isolated by technological measures (e.g. using foamed-plastics wrapping or rubber pillow ), the latter comes from building-vibration, which vibrates slowly with a serious impact on M-Z interferometer, with a period of 3±0.32 min (min level). A novel real-time tracking and compensation method for phase drift caused by low-frequency vibration is proposed. With the improved scheme, the QKD system based on double M-Z interferometers can operate stably for 24 hours, and key exchange with an error below 6% over 75 kilometers has been achieved in the lab.

Acta Physica Sinica•Jan 1, 2007•1 citation
Quantum key distribution (QKD) system must be robust enough in practical communication. The system performance is notably affected by phase drift. For the fiber-based phase-encoded quantum key distribution system, the Faraday-Michelson QKD scheme can auto-compensate the birefringence of fiber, but phase drift caused by environment variations is still a serious problem in practical operation. In this paper, the major schemes to compensate for the phase drift are analyzed in detail and an “five-phase”effective active phase compensation method is proposed. The comparison with other two major active phase compensation schemes also given. The result shows that this method uses less time to acquire the parameter of phase drift with the same precision and it can be used in phase-encoded QKD systems without introducing additional devices.
An efficient phase stabilization method is required in quantum key distribution (QKD) systems for stability in practical applications. The existing active phase compensation method has limitations in multi-node network applications, especially in network-scale applications based on measurement-device-independent QKD systems. In this study, we propose a local active phase compensation scheme that can realize phase compensation independently for each interferometer node. We performed experimental demonstrations in the BB84 phase encoding system based on a Faraday-Michelson interferometer. The average QBER rates of the system under two different forms of the reference light were found to be 1.9% and 1.6%. This scheme can also be applied to other QKD systems and has potential for application in future quantum communication networks.
Phase drift is an inherent problem in phase-encoded quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. The current active phase tracking and compensation solutions cannot satisfy the requirements of a system with nonlinearity in phase modulation. This paper presents a four-phase scanning method, which is based on the quantitative analysis of the quantum bit error rate (QBER) from phase drift and the performance requirements of phase compensation. By obtaining the four interference fringes and adjusting the coding matrix of the system, this method automatically calculates the accurate driving voltages for the phase modulator. The implementation and experimental tests show that the proposed method can compensate phase drift caused by environmental changes and the system’s nonlinearity, and is applicable to large-scale QKD networks.
Phase drift is the main source of errors for phase encoding quantum key distribution(QKD) system,and it is an important factor influencing the practical applications of the system.At present,there are some kinds of methods to solve the phase drift problem.They may reduce the phase drift to some extent,but they also have many shortcomings,such as large amount of calculation,low accuracy and complex system.In this paper,we put forward a kind of active phase compensation method based on least squares.Scanning a small number phase points under the condition of a single photon,we can get phase compensation parameters by applying the least square algorithm.The experimental results show that the method gains phase drift parameter in shorter time with less computational cost to complete the realtime active compensation.It can improve the QKD system′s performance and efficiency to a certain extent.
Phase drift is an inevitable problem in the practical implementation of phase-coding quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. Conventional active phase tracking and compensation solutions cannot be implemented during the key transmission process, resulting in reduced efficiency of the system. In this paper, we propose a single-photon level real-time phase tracking scheme using only the estimated quantum bit error rate (QBER) and mismatched-basis data to acquire the phase drift parameter instead of a phase scanning process or reference light pulses, without extra hardware or interrupting the transmission of quantum signals. This scheme is applied into a phase-coding QKD system with active phase disturbance and obtains an average QBER of 1.01%1.01\%1.01% with a standard derivation of 0.37%0.37\%0.37% over 50 h of continuous operation. Experimental results show that this scheme enables QKD systems to operate continuously with long-term stability and keep a low level of QBER even with rapid phase drift, suggesting its suitability for practical applications.
A one-way quantum key distribution scheme based on intrinsically stable Faraday-mirror-type Michelson interferometers with four-port polarizing beam splitters has been demonstrated that can compensate for birefringence effects automatically. The encoding is performed with phase modulators, but decoding is accomplished through measurement of the polarization state of Bob's photons. An extinction ratio of about 30 dB was maintained for several hours over 50 km of fiber at 1310 nm without any adjustment to the setup, which shows its good potential for practical systems.
Phase drift caused by environment is the main source of quantum bit error rate and instability in the double M-Z interferometer quantum key distribution(QKD) system. The phase drift consists of both high-frequency and low-frequency vibrations, the former, which is due to environment noise, is usually conducted via the atmosphere and can be isolated by technological measures (e.g. using foamed-plastics wrapping or rubber pillow ), the latter comes from building-vibration, which vibrates slowly with a serious impact on M-Z interferometer, with a period of 3±0.32 min (min level). A novel real-time tracking and compensation method for phase drift caused by low-frequency vibration is proposed. With the improved scheme, the QKD system based on double M-Z interferometers can operate stably for 24 hours, and key exchange with an error below 6% over 75 kilometers has been achieved in the lab.