Coherent Quantum Communications Across National Scale Telecommunication Infrastructure
Mirko Pittaluga, Yuen San Lo, Adam Brzosko, Robert I. Woodward,, Matthew S. Winnel, Thomas Roger, James F. Dynes, Kim A. Owen, Sergio Juarez,, Piotr Rydlichowski, Domenico Vicinanza, Guy Roberts, Andrew J. Shields

TL;DR
This paper demonstrates the first successful integration of coherent quantum communication techniques within commercial telecommunication infrastructure, achieving long-distance quantum key distribution and validating phase-based quantum internet architecture.
Contribution
It introduces innovative architecture and techniques for coherent quantum communications, including a practical quantum repeater and long-distance QKD over existing telecom networks.
Findings
Achieved 110 bit/s key distribution over 254 km
First implementation of a quantum repeater on telecom infrastructure
Validated feasibility of phase-based quantum internet architecture
Abstract
Quantum communications harness quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement to enhance information transfer between remote nodes. Coherent quantum communications, essential for phase-based quantum internet architecture, require optical coherence among nodes and typically involve single-photon interference. Challenges like preserving optical coherence and integrating advanced single-photon detectors have impeded their deployment in existing telecommunication networks. This study introduces innovative approaches to the architecture and techniques supporting coherent quantum communications, marking their first successful integration within a commercial telecom infrastructure between Frankfurt and Kehl, Germany. Employing the Twin Field Quantum Key Distribution protocol, we achieved encryption key distribution at 110 bit/s over 254 km. This system features…
Peer Reviews
No public reviews on file for this paper yet. If you reviewed it on a platform where reviews are public (OpenReview, ICLR, NeurIPS, ICML), you can paste yours below so the community can read it here.
Videos
No videos yet. Explain this paper in a talk, walkthrough, or lecture? Add one.
Taxonomy
TopicsQuantum Information and Cryptography · Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture · Optical Network Technologies
