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All-photonic intercity quantum key distribution

Author

Listed:
  • Koji Azuma

    (NTT Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Corporation)

  • Kiyoshi Tamaki

    (NTT Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Corporation)

  • William J. Munro

    (NTT Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Corporation)

Abstract

Recent field demonstrations of quantum key distribution (QKD) networks hold promise for unconditionally secure communication. However, owing to loss in optical fibres, the length of point-to-point links is limited to a hundred kilometers, restricting the QKD networks to intracity. A natural way to expand the QKD network in a secure manner is to connect it to another one in a different city with quantum repeaters. But, this solution is overengineered unless such a backbone connection is intercontinental. Here we present a QKD protocol that could supersede even quantum repeaters for connecting QKD networks in different cities below 800 km distant. Nonetheless, in contrast to quantum repeaters, this protocol uses only a single intermediate node with optical devices, requiring neither quantum memories nor quantum error correction. Our all-photonic ‘intercity’ QKD protocol bridges large gaps between the conventional intracity QKD networks and the future intercontinental quantum repeaters, conceptually and technologically.

Suggested Citation

  • Koji Azuma & Kiyoshi Tamaki & William J. Munro, 2015. "All-photonic intercity quantum key distribution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10171
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10171
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    Cited by:

    1. Pei Zeng & Hongyi Zhou & Weijie Wu & Xiongfeng Ma, 2022. "Mode-pairing quantum key distribution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.

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