Experimental implementation of distributed phase reference quantum key distribution protocols

TL;DR

This paper reports the experimental realization of distributed phase reference quantum key distribution protocols using optical fiber at telecom wavelengths, analyzing key rates under various parameters to advance secure quantum communication networks.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental implementation of coherent one way and differential phase shift QKD protocols at telecom wavelength, with detailed analysis of key rates and system parameters.

Findings

Successful experimental realization of QKD protocols in optical fiber

Analysis of key rates with respect to distance and detector parameters

Demonstration of practical feasibility for secure quantum networks

Abstract

Quantum cryptography is now considered as a promising technology due to its promise of unconditional security. In recent years, rigorous work is being done for the experimental realization of quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols to realize secure networks. Among various QKD protocols, coherent one way and differential phase shift QKD protocols have undergone rapid experimental developments due to the ease of experimental implementations with the present available technology. In this work, we have experimentally realized optical fiber based coherent one way and differential phase shift QKD protocols at telecom wavelength. Both protocols belong to a class of protocols named as distributed phase reference protocol in which weak coherent pulses are used to encode the information. Further, we have analyzed the key rates with respect to different parameters such distance, disclose rate, compression ratio and detector dead time.