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Quantumkey distribution (QKD) promises unconditional security for communication. However, the random choices of the measurement basis in QKD usually result in low key creation efficiency. This drawback is overcome in the differential-phase-shift QKD, provided that each photon can be prepared in a large number of time bins with a proper waveform. In this work we develop a miniature 1550-nm single-photon source to generate narrowband single photon in 50 time bins with a nearly optimal waveform for achieving unity key creation efficiency. By utilizing these single photons in the field test, we demonstrate the differential-phase-shift QKD with a key creation efficiency of 97%. Our work shows that the practical QKD can benefit from the narrowband single photons with controllable waveforms., Comment: 9pages, 4figures

Single photons of subnatural linewidth and high spectral brightness are necessary for efficient light-matter interaction at the single photon level, which lies at the heart of many quantum photonic technologies. Here we demonstrate a bright source of single photons with subnatural linewidth, controllable waveforms, and a high spectral brightness of $3.67 \times 10^5$ s$^{-1}$mW$^{-1}$MHz$^{-1}$. The interaction between the single photons and atoms is demonstrated by the controlled absorption of the single photons in an atomic vapor. Our work has potential applications in quantum information technologies., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures