Roberts, G. L., Lucamarini, M. orcid.org/0000-0002-7351-4622, Dynes, J. F. et al. (3 more authors) (2017) Modulator-Free Coherent-One-Way Quantum Key Distribution. Laser and Photonics Reviews. 1700067. ISSN 1863-8899
Abstract
Time-bin encoding is an attractive method for transmitting photonic qubits over long distances with minimal decoherence. It allows a simple receiver for quantum key distribution (QKD) that extracts a key by measuring time of arrival of photons and detects eavesdropping by measuring interference of pulses in different time bins. In the past, coherent pulses have been generated using a CW laser and an intensity modulator. A greatly simplified transmitter is proposed and demonstrated here that works by directly modulating the laser diode. Coherence between pulses is maintained by a weak seed laser. The modulator-free source creates time-bin encoded pulses with a high extinction ratio (29.4 dB) and an interference visibility above 97 %. The resulting QKD transmitter gives estimated secure key rates up to 4.57 Mbit/s, the highest yet reported for coherent-one-way QKD, and can be programmed for all protocols using weak coherent pulses.
Metadata
Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017 The Authors |
Keywords: | COW protocol, fiber optic communications, Optical communications, quantum key distribution, quantum optics |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Physics (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 27 Oct 2020 10:20 |
Last Modified: | 05 Feb 2024 00:39 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1002/lpor.201700067 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | https://doi.org/10.1002/lpor.201700067 |
Related URLs: |