Practical free-space quantum cryptography
An experimental free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) system has been tested over an outdoor optical path of {approx} 1 km under nighttime conditions at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This system employs the Bennett 92 protocol; here the authors give a brief overview of this protocol, and describe the experimental implementation of it. An analysis of the system efficiency is presented, as well as a description of the error detection protocol, which employs a two-dimensional parity check scheme. Finally, the susceptibility of this system to eavesdropping by various techniques is determined, and the effectiveness of privacy amplification procedures is discussed. The conclusions are that free-space QKD is both effective and secure; possible applications include the rekeying of satellites in low earth orbit.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Management and Administration, Washington, DC (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 677137
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR--98-1272; CONF-980245--; ON: DE99000705
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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