Detector dead-time effects and paralyzability in high-speed quantum key distribution

TL;DR

This paper models the impact of detector dead-time effects on high-speed quantum key distribution systems, identifying an optimal transmission rate to maximize security and efficiency given detector limitations.

Contribution

It introduces a model for high-speed QKD that accounts for detector dead-time effects and determines the optimal transmission rate based on system parameters.

Findings

Identifies an optimal transmission rate for high-speed QKD systems.

Highlights security concerns related to detector dead times at high transmission speeds.

Provides a framework for designing more efficient QKD systems considering detector limitations.

Abstract

Recent advances in quantum key distribution (QKD) have given rise to systems that operate at transmission periods significantly shorter than the dead times of their component single-photon detectors. As systems continue to increase in transmission rate, security concerns associated with detector dead times can limit the production rate of sifted bits. We present a model of high-speed QKD in this limit that identifies an optimum transmission rate for a system with given link loss and detector response characteristics.