Title: Self-Referenced Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution Protocol

Abstract

Here, we introduce a new continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) protocol, self-referenced CV-QKD, that eliminates the need for transmission of a high-power local oscillator between the communicating parties. In this protocol, each signal pulse is accompanied by a reference pulse (or a pair of twin reference pulses), used to align Alice’s and Bob’s measurement bases. The method of phase estimation and compensation based on the reference pulse measurement can be viewed as a quantum analog of intradyne detection used in classical coherent communication, which extracts the phase information from the modulated signal. We present a proof-of-principle, fiber-based experimental demonstration of the protocol and quantify the expected secret key rates by expressing them in terms of experimental parameters. Our analysis of the secret key rate fully takes into account the inherent uncertainty associated with the quantum nature of the reference pulse(s) and quantifies the limit at which the theoretical key rate approaches that of the respective conventional protocol that requires local oscillator transmission. The self-referenced protocol greatly simplifies the hardware required for CV-QKD, especially for potential integrated photonics implementations of transmitters and receivers, with minimum sacrifice of performance. As such, it provides a pathway towards scalable integrated CV-QKD transceivers, a vitalmore » step towards large-scale QKD networks.« less

Authors:

Soh, Daniel B. S.; Brif, Constantin; Coles, Patrick J.; Lütkenhaus, Norbert; Camacho, Ryan M.; Urayama, Junji; Sarovar, Mohan

Publication Date:

Wed Oct 21 00:00:00 EDT 2015

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

OSTI Identifier:

1224143

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1236226; OSTI ID: 1257817

Report Number(s):

SAND-2015-1631J; SAND-2016-4258J
Journal ID: ISSN 2160-3308; PRXHAE; 041010

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Physical Review. X

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Physical Review. X Journal Volume: 5 Journal Issue: 4; Journal ID: ISSN 2160-3308

Publisher:

American Physical Society

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; optics; quantum physics; quantum information