Go-and-return phase encoded SR QKD and its security consideration

In this work, we study the security of coherent-state quantum key distribution with a strong reference pulse. The consideration is based on a powerful soft filtering attack and uses realistic parameters of the equipment. Our model allows us to relate the secure key generation rate and distance with the energy of signal and reference pulses. We propose a two-pass quantum key distribution phase encoding optical scheme with a strong reference pulse. This simple for realization scheme is experimentally tested showing stable operation. Here we describe the tuning technique and solution for the problem of weak signal pulse shadowing by a bright reference pulse with the relative intensity difference of more than 60\,dB between them.
Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures