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Satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution

Author

Listed:
  • Sheng-Kai Liao

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Wen-Qi Cai

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Wei-Yue Liu

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Liang Zhang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China
    Key Laboratory of Space Active Opto-Electronic Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yang Li

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Ji-Gang Ren

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Juan Yin

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Qi Shen

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yuan Cao

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Zheng-Ping Li

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Feng-Zhi Li

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xia-Wei Chen

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Li-Hua Sun

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Jian-Jun Jia

    (Key Laboratory of Space Active Opto-Electronic Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jin-Cai Wu

    (Key Laboratory of Space Active Opto-Electronic Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiao-Jun Jiang

    (National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jian-Feng Wang

    (National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yong-Mei Huang

    (Key Laboratory of Optical Engineering, Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qiang Wang

    (Key Laboratory of Optical Engineering, Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Yi-Lin Zhou

    (Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites)

  • Lei Deng

    (Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites)

  • Tao Xi

    (State Key Laboratory of Astronautic Dynamics, Xi’an Satellite Control Center)

  • Lu Ma

    (Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Tai Hu

    (National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qiang Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yu-Ao Chen

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Nai-Le Liu

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xiang-Bin Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Zhen-Cai Zhu

    (Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites)

  • Chao-Yang Lu

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Rong Shu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China
    Key Laboratory of Space Active Opto-Electronic Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Cheng-Zhi Peng

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Jian-Yu Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China
    Key Laboratory of Space Active Opto-Electronic Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jian-Wei Pan

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China)

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) uses individual light quanta in quantum superposition states to guarantee unconditional communication security between distant parties. However, the distance over which QKD is achievable has been limited to a few hundred kilometres, owing to the channel loss that occurs when using optical fibres or terrestrial free space that exponentially reduces the photon transmission rate. Satellite-based QKD has the potential to help to establish a global-scale quantum network, owing to the negligible photon loss and decoherence experienced in empty space. Here we report the development and launch of a low-Earth-orbit satellite for implementing decoy-state QKD—a form of QKD that uses weak coherent pulses at high channel loss and is secure because photon-number-splitting eavesdropping can be detected. We achieve a kilohertz key rate from the satellite to the ground over a distance of up to 1,200 kilometres. This key rate is around 20 orders of magnitudes greater than that expected using an optical fibre of the same length. The establishment of a reliable and efficient space-to-ground link for quantum-state transmission paves the way to global-scale quantum networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheng-Kai Liao & Wen-Qi Cai & Wei-Yue Liu & Liang Zhang & Yang Li & Ji-Gang Ren & Juan Yin & Qi Shen & Yuan Cao & Zheng-Ping Li & Feng-Zhi Li & Xia-Wei Chen & Li-Hua Sun & Jian-Jun Jia & Jin-Cai Wu & , 2017. "Satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution," Nature, Nature, vol. 549(7670), pages 43-47, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:549:y:2017:i:7670:d:10.1038_nature23655
    DOI: 10.1038/nature23655
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mohd Hirzi Adnan & Zuriati Ahmad Zukarnain & Nur Ziadah Harun, 2022. "Quantum Key Distribution for 5G Networks: A Review, State of Art and Future Directions," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-28, February.
    2. Liang Xiang & Jiachen Chen & Zitian Zhu & Zixuan Song & Zehang Bao & Xuhao Zhu & Feitong Jin & Ke Wang & Shibo Xu & Yiren Zou & Hekang Li & Zhen Wang & Chao Song & Alexander Yue & Justine Partridge & , 2024. "Enhanced quantum state transfer by circumventing quantum chaotic behavior," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Sebastian Philipp Neumann & Alexander Buchner & Lukas Bulla & Martin Bohmann & Rupert Ursin, 2022. "Continuous entanglement distribution over a transnational 248 km fiber link," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    4. Florian Fesquet & Fabian Kronowetter & Michael Renger & Wun Kwan Yam & Simon Gandorfer & Kunihiro Inomata & Yasunobu Nakamura & Achim Marx & Rudolf Gross & Kirill G. Fedorov, 2024. "Demonstration of microwave single-shot quantum key distribution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.
    5. Yulin Chi & Jieshan Huang & Zhanchuan Zhang & Jun Mao & Zinan Zhou & Xiaojiong Chen & Chonghao Zhai & Jueming Bao & Tianxiang Dai & Huihong Yuan & Ming Zhang & Daoxin Dai & Bo Tang & Yan Yang & Zhihua, 2022. "A programmable qudit-based quantum processor," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    6. Naceur Gaaloul & Matthias Meister & Robin Corgier & Annie Pichery & Patrick Boegel & Waldemar Herr & Holger Ahlers & Eric Charron & Jason R. Williams & Robert J. Thompson & Wolfgang P. Schleich & Erns, 2022. "A space-based quantum gas laboratory at picokelvin energy scales," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    7. Guimbeau, Amanda & Ji, Xinde James & Menon, Nidhiya & Rodgers, Yana van der Meulen, 2023. "Mining and women’s agency: Evidence on acceptance of domestic violence and shared decision-making in India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).

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