Experimental Phase-Matching Quantum Cryptographic Conferencing in Symmetric and Asymmetric Fiber Channels

TL;DR

This paper experimentally demonstrates a phase-matching quantum cryptographic conferencing protocol over symmetric and asymmetric fiber channels, showing its potential for secure intercity quantum networks with distances up to 100 km.

Contribution

The study introduces a practical implementation of the phase-matching QCC protocol considering finite-size effects, employing frequency-locking and phase-tracking techniques for real-world fiber networks.

Findings

Secure key distribution up to 100 km in symmetric channels

Effective operation in asymmetric fiber configurations

Feasibility for intercity quantum network deployment

Abstract

Quantum cryptographic conferencing (QCC) allows multiple parties to establish common secure keys in quantum networks with information-theoretic security. However, the secure transmission distances of current QCC implementations are still limited to the metropolitan areas. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the three-intensity phase-matching (PM) QCC protocol considering finite-size effects by employing frequency-locking and phase-tracking techniques for three parties. The key distribution capability of the PM QCC protocol is demonstrated in the symmetric fiber channels with the distance from each party to the measurement site up to 100 km. The network adaptability of the PM QCC protocol is demonstrated in asymmetric fiber channels used to simulate fiber channel configurations in real networks. Thus, the feasibility of applying the PM QCC protocol to practical intercity quantum networks with both symmetric and asymmetric channels is verified.