High-rate intercity quantum key distribution with a semiconductor single-photon source

authored by: Jingzhong Yang, Zenghui Jiang, Frederik Benthin, Joscha Hanel, Tom Fandrich, Raphael Joos, Stephanie Bauer, Sascha Kolatschek, Ali Hreibi, Eddy Patrick Rugeramigabo, Michael Jetter, Simone Luca Portalupi, Michael Zopf, Peter Michler, Stefan Kück, Fei Ding
Abstract: Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables the transmission of information that is secure against general attacks by eavesdroppers. The use of on-demand quantum light sources in QKD protocols is expected to help improve security and maximum tolerable loss. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are a promising building block for quantum communication applications because of the deterministic emission of single photons with high brightness and low multiphoton contribution. Here we report on the first intercity QKD experiment using a bright deterministic single photon source. A BB84 protocol based on polarisation encoding is realised using the high-rate single photons in the telecommunication C-band emitted from a semiconductor QD embedded in a circular Bragg grating structure. Utilising the 79 km long link with 25.49 dB loss (equivalent to 130 km for the direct-connected optical fibre) between the German cities of Hannover and Braunschweig, a record-high secret key bits per pulse of 4.8 × 10⁻⁵ with an average quantum bit error ratio of ~ 0.65% are demonstrated. An asymptotic maximum tolerable loss of 28.11 dB is found, corresponding to a length of 144 km of standard telecommunication fibre. Deterministic semiconductor sources therefore challenge state-of-the-art QKD protocols and have the potential to excel in measurement device independent protocols and quantum repeater applications.
Organisation(s): Institute of Solid State Physics
Surfaces Science Section
Laboratory of Nano and Quantum Engineering
QuantumFrontiers
External Organisation(s): University of Stuttgart
National Metrology Institute of Germany (PTB)
Type: Article
Journal: Light: Science and Applications
Volume: 13
No. of pages: 10
ISSN: 2095-5545
Publication date: 02.07.2024
Publication status: E-pub ahead of print
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-024-01488-0 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{881d15cf97004ae3b41536ba85826f3d,
title = "High-rate intercity quantum key distribution with a semiconductor single-photon source",
abstract = "Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables the transmission of information that is secure against general attacks by eavesdroppers. The use of on-demand quantum light sources in QKD protocols is expected to help improve security and maximum tolerable loss. Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are a promising building block for quantum communication applications because of the deterministic emission of single photons with high brightness and low multiphoton contribution. Here we report on the first intercity QKD experiment using a bright deterministic single photon source. A BB84 protocol based on polarisation encoding is realised using the high-rate single photons in the telecommunication C-band emitted from a semiconductor QD embedded in a circular Bragg grating structure. Utilising the 79 km long link with 25.49 dB loss (equivalent to 130 km for the direct-connected optical fibre) between the German cities of Hannover and Braunschweig, a record-high secret key bits per pulse of 4.8 × 10−5 with an average quantum bit error ratio of ~ 0.65% are demonstrated. An asymptotic maximum tolerable loss of 28.11 dB is found, corresponding to a length of 144 km of standard telecommunication fibre. Deterministic semiconductor sources therefore challenge state-of-the-art QKD protocols and have the potential to excel in measurement device independent protocols and quantum repeater applications.",
author = "Jingzhong Yang and Zenghui Jiang and Frederik Benthin and Joscha Hanel and Tom Fandrich and Raphael Joos and Stephanie Bauer and Sascha Kolatschek and Ali Hreibi and Rugeramigabo, {Eddy Patrick} and Michael Jetter and Portalupi, {Simone Luca} and Michael Zopf and Peter Michler and Stefan K{\"u}ck and Fei Ding",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2024.",
year = "2024",
month = jul,
day = "2",
doi = "10.1038/s41377-024-01488-0",
language = "English",
volume = "13",
journal = "Light: Science and Applications",
issn = "2095-5545",
publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",
number = "1",
}