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arXiv:quant-ph/0605046 · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

Gigahertz-clocked quantum key distribution in passive optical networks

Verónica Fernández, Robert J. Collins, Karen J. Gordon, Paul D. Townsend, Gerald S. Buller

Published Sep 9, 2007• 1 citation
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Abstract

In this paper we demonstrate the application of multi-user quantum key distribution (QKD) to typical broadband fibrebased passive optical access links to metropolitan area networks. We propose a technique to utilize the currently unused 850nm waveband in standard telecommunications fiber for QKD in two network architectures. Net bit rates of up to 100's of kilobits-1 were achieved for each receiver, depending on the network topology. The transmission distances between sender and receivers were compatible with the typical span of optical access links ( ≤ 10km).

DOI
10.1117/12.732476

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In this paper we demonstrate the application of multi-user quantum key distribution (QKD) to typical broadband fibrebased passive optical access links to metropolitan area networks. We propose a technique to utilize the currently unused 850nm waveband in standard telecommunications fiber for QKD in two network architectures. Net bit rates of up to 100's of kilobits-1 were achieved for each receiver, depending on the network topology. The transmission distances between sender and receivers were compatible with the typical span of optical access links ( ≤ 10km).
We present the application of quantum key distribution (QKD) technologies to fiber-based broad-band passive optical access networks. This application is based on our 850-nm wavelength gigahertz clock-rate single-receiver system, is compatible with existing telecommunications fiber and exploits a wavelength band not currently utilized in access networks. The developed QKD networks are capable of transmitting over distances consistent with the span of access links for metropolitan networks (10 km), at clock frequencies ranging up to 3 GHz
In recent years quantum information research has lead to the discovery of a number of remarkable new paradigms for information processing and communication. These developments include quantum cryptography schemes that offer unconditionally secure information transport guaranteed by quantum-mechanical laws. Such potentially disruptive security technologies could be of high strategic and economic value in the future. Two major issues confronting researchers in this field are the transmission range (typically <100km) and the key exchange rate, which can be as low as a few bits per second at long optical fiber distances. This paper describes further research of an approach to significantly enhance the key exchange rate in an optical fiber system at distances in the range of 1-20km. We will present results on a number of application scenarios, including point-to-point links and multi-user networks. Quantum key distribution systems have been developed, which use standard telecommunications optical fiber, and which are capable of operating at clock rates of up to 2GHz. They implement a polarization-encoded version of the B92 protocol and employ vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with emission wavelengths of 850 nm as weak coherent light sources, as well as silicon single-photon avalanche diodes as the single photon detectors. The point-to-point quantum key distribution system exhibited a quantum bit error rate of 1.4%, and an estimated net bit rate greater than 100,000 bits-1 for a 4.2 km transmission range.
It is well known that optical access networks are able to provide high data rates over long distances and to a reasonable number of users. Security and privacy are always a challenge for public accessible network infrastructures. Especially in time-division multiplexing passive optical networks (TDM-PONs), in which the downstream signal is broadcasted to all users connected via the same wavelength channel in a shared fiber link, privacy can be a critical concern. Although encryption at the application layer can provide a high level of security, this can be achieved only if the encryption key distribution is perfectly save. On the other hand, encryption on the physical layer such as quantum cryptography or, more precisely, quantum key distribution (QKD) is a very promising approach to achieve secure communication. However, there remain several issues that have to be solved before the quantum cryptography reaches the maturity level needed for a cost effective implementation in practical networks. In this paper, we address quantum key distribution (QKD) over passive optical access networks, which is an enabling technology required to cost efficiently deploy practical quantum encrypted data communication in the access area. We study different methods to integrate QKD systems in conventional optical access networks and quantitatively evaluate their suitability for a potential implementation.
A quantum key distribution (QKD) system has been developed, using a standard telecommunications optical fiber, which is capable of operating at clock rates of greater than 1 GHz. The QKD system implements a polarization encoded version of the B92 protocol. The system employs vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with emission wavelengths of 850 nm as weak coherent light sources, and silicon single photon avalanche diodes as the single photon detectors. A distributed feedback laser of emission wavelength 1.3 /spl mu/m, and a linear gain germanium avalanche photodiode was used to optically synchronize individual photons over the standard telecommunications fiber. The QKD system exhibited a quantum bit error rate (QBER) of 1.4%, and an estimated net bit rate (NBR) greater than 100 000 bits/sup -1/ for a 4.2-km transmission range. For a 10-km fiber range, a QBER of 2.1%, and an estimated NBR of greater than 7000 bits/sup -1/ was achieved.
This chapter discusses the developments in the field of integrated nanophotonics for multi-user quantum key distribution (QKD) networks. It begins with the significance of QKD and presents some of the challenges faced by researchers and system developers, especially regarding the key rate, transmission distance, and implementation cost. The chapter considers various options to implement a multi- user QKD network compatible with the existing fiber-optic network infrastructure. It describes entanglement-based QKD and its wavelength-multiplexed implementation enabling efficient use of the available optical fiber bandwidth for QKD. The chapter shows how a centralized broadband entangled-photon source can be shared by many users in an access network and explains the benefits of wavelength- multiplexed entanglement distribution. It looks at recent advances in integrated broadband entangled-photon sources, waveguide-integrated photon detectors, and low-loss integrated passive devices. The chapter also provides an outlook for future research and development in this direction.