<p>The type of system employing continuous variables, such as light field quadrature for signal modulation, is an important branch for quantum key distribution. Achieving a high key rate using quantum key distribution technology is beneficial for realizing more frequent key updates or enabling one-time pad encryption for high-speed communication tasks. However, the deficiencies of typical large-bandwidth balanced photodetectors prevent the continuous variable quantum key distribution from matching the speed of state-of-the-art classical optical communications. Previous attempts to improve the key rate have focused on designing and manufacturing high-speed balanced photodetectors. It is well known that phase-sensitive amplifiers also improve the performance of balanced photodetectors and thus the performance of key distribution, but the concept remains purely theoretical. Here, for the first time, we experimentally demonstrate a high-speed continuous-variable quantum key distribution operating with a 10 GHz balanced photodetector enhanced by phase-sensitive amplification and detection. A conjugated multi-mode continuous variable protocol is used to accommodate the phase-sensitive operations. The optical amplifier offers a 10 dB increase in the photodetector’s clearance (quantum noise over electrical noise) and improves the detection efficiency from 72% to 96%, thus enabling an overall 248.9 Mb/s key distribution rate through a 16.7 km field-deployed optical fiber.</p>

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Experimental demonstration of high-speed continuous variable quantum key distribution enhanced by phase-sensitive amplifier

  • Jinpeng Liao,
  • Zhirong Chen,
  • Jintao Wang,
  • Hao Xiao,
  • Xiaojie Guo,
  • Zhaohui Li,
  • Dawei Wang

摘要

The type of system employing continuous variables, such as light field quadrature for signal modulation, is an important branch for quantum key distribution. Achieving a high key rate using quantum key distribution technology is beneficial for realizing more frequent key updates or enabling one-time pad encryption for high-speed communication tasks. However, the deficiencies of typical large-bandwidth balanced photodetectors prevent the continuous variable quantum key distribution from matching the speed of state-of-the-art classical optical communications. Previous attempts to improve the key rate have focused on designing and manufacturing high-speed balanced photodetectors. It is well known that phase-sensitive amplifiers also improve the performance of balanced photodetectors and thus the performance of key distribution, but the concept remains purely theoretical. Here, for the first time, we experimentally demonstrate a high-speed continuous-variable quantum key distribution operating with a 10 GHz balanced photodetector enhanced by phase-sensitive amplification and detection. A conjugated multi-mode continuous variable protocol is used to accommodate the phase-sensitive operations. The optical amplifier offers a 10 dB increase in the photodetector’s clearance (quantum noise over electrical noise) and improves the detection efficiency from 72% to 96%, thus enabling an overall 248.9 Mb/s key distribution rate through a 16.7 km field-deployed optical fiber.