High-Dimensional Quantum Key Distribution in Quantum Access Networks

TL;DR

This paper explores high-dimensional quantum key distribution in wireless access networks, demonstrating that d=4 HD-QKD can outperform qubit-based systems under realistic indoor conditions.

Contribution

It introduces the application of high-dimensional QKD in wireless indoor environments and analyzes its performance considering noise, loss, and finite key effects.

Findings

HD-QKD with d=4 outperforms qubit-based QKD.

Performance is affected by background noise and loss.

Finite key effects are significant in indoor environments.

Abstract

We investigate the use of high-dimensional quantum key distribution (HD-QKD) in wireless access to hybrid quantum classical networks. We study the distribution of d-dimensional time-phase encoded states between an indoor wireless user and the central office on the other end of the access network. We evaluate the performance in the case of transmitting quantum and classical signals over the same channel by accounting for the impact of background noise induced by the Raman-scattered light on the QKD receiver. We also take into account the loss and background noise that occur in indoor environments as well as finite key effects in our analysis. We show that an HD-QKD system with d = 4 can outperform its qubit-based counterpart.