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Practical high-dimensional quantum key distribution protocol over deployed multicore fiber.
- Source :
- Nature Communications; 2/23/2024, Vol. 15 Issue 1, p1-6, 6p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a secure communication scheme for sharing symmetric cryptographic keys based on the laws of quantum physics, and is considered a key player in the realm of cyber-security. A critical challenge for QKD systems comes from the fact that the ever-increasing rates at which digital data are transmitted require more and more performing sources of quantum keys, primarily in terms of secret key generation rate. High-dimensional QKD based on path encoding has been proposed as a candidate approach to address this challenge. However, while proof-of-principle demonstrations based on lab experiments have been reported in the literature, demonstrations in realistic environments are still missing. Here we report the generation of secret keys in a 4-dimensional hybrid time-path-encoded QKD system over a 52-km deployed multicore fiber link forming by looping back two cores of a 26-km 4-core optical fiber. Our results indicate that robust high-dimensional QKD can be implemented in a realistic environment by combining standard telecom equipment with emerging multicore fiber technology. High-dimensional QKD would in principle allow for several advantages over its bidimensional counterpart, but in-the-field demonstrations are missing. Here, the authors realise 4- dimensional hybrid time-path-encoded QKD using a 52-km deployed multicore fiber link. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- QUANTUM theory
FIBERS
LOCKS & keys
OPTICAL fibers
PROOF of concept
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20411723
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Nature Communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 175830776
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45876-x