Quantum key distribution with a borosilicate-glass-matrix integrated photonic receiver

Year: 2024

Authors: Guarda G., Ribezzo D., Occhipinti T., Zavatta A., Bacco D.

Autors Affiliation: European Lab Nonlinear Spect LENS, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Consiglio Nazl Ric CNR INO, Ist Nazl Ott, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Univ LAquila, Dept Phys & Chem Sci, I-67100 Laquila, Italy; QTI Srl, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Phys & Astron, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

Abstract: Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are key to advancing quantum technologies for secure communications. They offer inherent stability, low losses, and compactness compared to standard fiber-based and free-space systems. Our research demonstrates PICs’ effectiveness in enhancing quantum communications; we implement a three-state BB84 protocol with a decoy-state method, and we employ an integrated receiver and superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors to achieve technological advancements. One of the most notable results is the extraction of a secret key over a 45 dB channel attenuation. This achievement in the maximum covered distance signifies the potential of integrated photonics to advance the field of quantum communication.

Journal/Review: PHYSICAL REVIEW A

Volume: 110 (4)      Pages from: 42605-1  to: 42605-6

More Information: This work was funded by the European Union (ERC, QO-MUNE, 101077917) , by the Project EQUO (European QUan-tum ecOsystems) , which is funded by the European Commis-sion in the Digital Europe Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101091561, the Project SERICS (PE00000014) under the MUR National Recovery and Resilience Plan funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU, the Project QuON-TENT under the Progetti di Ricerca, CNR program funded by the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) and by the European Union-PON Ricerca e Innovazione 2014-2020 FESR-Project No. ARS01/00734 QUANCOM, and the Project QUID (Quantum Italy Deployment) funded by the Eu-ropean Commission in the Digital Europe Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101091408.
KeyWords: Particle beams; Photonic devices; Photonic integrated circuits; Photonic integration technology; Photons; Quantum communication; Quantum cryptography; Quantum electronics; Quantum optics; Secure communication
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.110.042605