A scalable network for simultaneous pairwise quantum key distribution via entanglement-based time-bin coding

TL;DR

This paper introduces a scalable, entanglement-based quantum key distribution network using time-bin coding and wavelength-division multiplexing, enabling secure, high-stability communication among many users over long distances.

Contribution

It presents the first entanglement-based QKD network with four participants using time-bin coding and clock recovery, demonstrating scalability and environmental robustness.

Findings

Secure key rate of 6.3 bit/s over 108 km fiber

Network stability with 4.5% QBER in field conditions

Scalable to 34 users with standard WDM components

Abstract

We present a scalable star-shaped quantum key distribution (QKD) optical fiber network. We use wavelength-division demultiplexing (WDM) of broadband photon pairs to establish key exchange between multiple pairs of participants simultaneously. Our QKD system is the first entanglement-based network of four participants using BBM92 time-bin coding and the first network achieving timing synchronization solely by clock recovery based on the photon arrival times. We demonstrate simultaneous bipartite key exchange between any possible combination of participants and show that the quantum bit error rate (QBER) itself can be used to stabilize the phase in the interferometers by small temperature adjustments. The key distribution is insensitive to polarization fluctuations in the network, enabling key distribution using deployed fibers even under challenging environmental conditions. We show that our network can be readily extended to 34 participants by using a standard arrayed-waveguide grating for WDM with 100 GHz channel spacing and that reconfigurable network connections are possible with a wavelength-selective switch. In a field test we demonstrate secure key rates of 6.3 bit/s with a QBER of 4.5% over a total fiber length of 108 km with 26.8 km of deployed fiber between two participants with high stability. Our system features a relatively simple design of the receiver modules and enables scaling QKD networks without a trusted nodes to distances up to more than 100 km and to more than 100 users. With such a network, a secure communication infrastructure on a metropolitan scale can be established.