An entanglement-based quantum network based on symmetric dispersive optics quantum key distribution

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel symmetric dispersive optics QKD scheme enabling scalable entanglement-based quantum networks supporting over 100 users with a single photon source, advancing secure quantum communication.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new symmetric dispersive optics QKD scheme and demonstrates a scalable entanglement-based quantum network architecture supporting over 100 users.

Findings

Supported over 100 users with one entangled photon source

Used wavelength and space division multiplexing for broad spectrum sharing

Achieved a fully-connected subnet with 8 users per channel

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a crucial technology for information security in the future. Developing simple and efficient ways to establish QKD among multiple users are important to extend the applications of QKD in communication networks. Herein, we proposed a scheme of symmetric dispersive optics QKD (DO-QKD) and demonstrated an entanglement-based quantum network based on it. In the experiment, a broadband entanglement photon pair source was shared by end users via wavelength and space division multiplexing. The wide spectrum of generated entangled photon pairs was divided into 16 combinations of frequency-conjugate channels. Photon pairs in each channel combination supported a fully-connected subnet with 8 users by a passive beam splitter. Eventually, it showed that an entanglement-based QKD network over 100 users could be supported by one entangled photon pair source in this architecture. It has great potential on applications of local quantum networks with large user number.