Coherent Quantum Communications Across National Scale Telecommunication Infrastructure

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 measurement-device-independent properties and non-cryogenically cooled detectors, and represents the first effective quantum repeater implementation on telecom infrastructure, the longest practical quantum key distribution deployment to date, and validates the feasibility of a phase-based quantum internet architecture.