High-dimensional measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution based on spatial basis

TL;DR

This paper proposes a high-dimensional measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution scheme using spatial basis, aiming to increase key rate while maintaining security, and can be implemented with standard optical components.

Contribution

It introduces a novel high-dimensional MDI-QKD protocol based on spatial basis, enhancing key rate without compromising security, and feasible with existing optical technology.

Findings

Enhanced key rate in higher dimensions

Comparable security level to polarization-based MDI-QKD

Feasible implementation with standard optical elements

Abstract

Improving the secret key rate is one of the vital issues in practical applications of quantum key distribution (QKD). In this paper, we propose an experimental scheme of high-dimensional measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) based on spatial basis aiming to increase the key rate. Two groups of discrete position basis and momentum basis are applied as conjugate spaces to generate quantum secret key. The position states are transmitted by single-mode fibers and represented by the index of the fiber, while the momentum state is a coherent superposition of the position states characterized by the phase gradient. The measurement of each momentum basis is realized by multi-slit diffraction. This experimental proposal can be implemented with standard optical elements. In addition to an enhanced key rate in a higher dimension, this high-dimensional MDI-QKD exhibits a comparable security level/performance compared to conventional polarization-based MDI-QKD.