Fast quantum key distribution with decoy number states

We investigate the use of photon number states to identify eavesdropping attacks on quantum key distribution (QKD) schemes. The technique is based on the fact that different photon numbers traverse a channel with different transmittivity. We then describe two QKD schemes that utilize this method, one of which overcomes the upper limit on the key generation rate imposed by the dead time of detectors when using a heralded source of photons.     

Silica-nanoparticle-dispersed methacrylate photopolymers with net diffraction efficiency near 100%

We demonstrate volume holographic recording in silica-nanoparticle-dispersed methacrylate photopolymers with reduced scattering loss as low as 2%. This is made possible by use of 13-nm silica nanoparticles. As a result a net diffraction efficiency near 100% is achieved for a transmission volume hologram of 45-microm thickness. Grating buildup dynamics are measured for various nanoparticle concentrations, and the effects of nanoparticle size on refractive-index modulation and polymerization shrinkage are also evaluated.     

Fourier array illuminators with 100% efficiency: Analytical Jones-matrix construction

Abstract

Fourier-type spot-array illuminators are designed for electromagnetic fields in the paraxial domain of diffractive optics. An analytical construction of the periodic, spatially variable Jones matrix is presented, which produces 100% conversion efficiency from an arbitrarily polarized incident plane wave into M × N=2 ^P × 2 ^Q (P and Q are integers) diffraction orders. Such perfect performance is not possible within the scalar theory of paraxial diffractive optics.     

Asynchronous quantum key distribution on a relay network

We show how quantum key distribution on a multi-user, multi-path, network can be used to establish a key between any two end-users in an asynchronous fashion using the technique of bit-transport. By a suitable adaptation of our previous secret-sharing scheme we show that an attacker has to compromise all of the intermediate relays on the network in order to obtain the key. Thus, two end-users can establish a secret key provided they trust at least one of the network relays.     

Decoy pulse quantum key distribution for practical purposes

Experimental one-way decoy pulse quantum key distribution running for 25 h over a fibre distance of 25 km is reported. The decoy pulse protocol employed uses two weak pulses (signal and decoy) and one vacuum pulse. In parallel to the key sifting, simultaneous error correction and privacy amplification yielding a final, average secure key rate of 5.7 kbps are performed. The random bits from the secure keys are found to pass stringent statistical tests.     

Single-photon avalanche diode detectors for quantum key distribution

The application of quantum key distribution (QKD) has raised particular demands for single-photon detectors. One of the most promising candidates at the low-loss optical fibre communications windows is the planar geometry InGaAs/InP single-photon avalanche diode. These detectors have been modelled, fabricated and characterised at 1.55 mum wavelength. Their performance in terms of single-photon detection efficiency, dark count rate, timing jitter and afterpulsing behaviour are reported and compared with the best commercially available, linear multiplication avalanche photodiodes operated in Geiger-mode. Their use in the application of QKD is discussed.     

Impact of coarse-grained measurement with finite range on continuous-variable quantum key distribution

In continuous-variable quantum key distribution, detectors are necessarily coarse grained and of finite range. We analyze the impact of both features and demonstrate that while coarse graining adds a fixed error to the estimated excess noise, finite range degrades the estimation accuracy of both transmission and excess noise. Moreover, the inaccurate estimation due to finite range may results in secret key rate underestimation, even misjudgment of security. To compensate these consequences, tuning the modulation variance is a possible way.     

The quantum noise of guided wave acoustic Brillouin scattering with applications to continuous-variable quantum key distribution

The spectra and optical quantum state of guided acoustic wave Brillouin scattering in optical fibers are measured. Spectra from 0.95 to 2?GHz are obtained with amplitude resolution as sensitive as 0.01 shot noise unit. Quantum homodyne tomography measurements confirm the thermal quantum statistics of guided acoustic wave Brillouin scattering, which is useful knowledge in the context of experimental continuous-variable quantum key distribution.     

Bayesian reconstruction of nanodosimetric cluster distributions at 100% detection efficiency

Ionisation spectra in nanometric volumes at a given distance from a charged particle track are obtained by using electron (or ion) gas detectors, having non-uniformly distributed detection efficiency. Therefore, such spectra should be properly processed in order to reconstruct the frequency distribution of clusters really produced in the detector gas. A Bayesian unfolding has been applied to ionisation distributions due to 5.4 MeV alpha particles in a 20-nm site obtained by Monte Carlo simulations, taking into account different detection efficiency conditions. It will be shown that Bayesian analysis provides a valid tool for reconstructing the true ionisation distributions, well beyond the maximum measured cluster size.     

Quantum information technology with Sagnac interferometer: interaction-free measurement,quantum key distribution and quantum secret sharing

The interferometry of single-photon pulses has been used to implement quantum technology systems, like quantum key distribution, interaction-free measurement and some other quantum communication protocols. In most of these implementations, Mach–Zehnder, Michelson and Fabry–Pérot interferometers are the most used. In this work we present optical setups for interaction-free measurement, quantum key distribution, quantum secret sharing and secure classical prisoners' dilemma game using the Sagnac interferometer. The proposed setups are described and as well the quantum protocols using them are explained.     

星地量子密钥分配中单光子捕获理论分析

基于TEM10模拉盖尔-高斯光束,推导了自由空间量子密钥分配的单光子捕获概率表达式,分析了低轨卫星-地面站间链路的单光子捕获问题。结果表明,采用TEM10模拉盖尔-高斯型高度衰减激光脉冲作为单光子源,单光子捕获采用前驱波参考脉冲设置时间窗口的方法,可使得卫星上接收机以最大概率捕获光子。单光子捕获概率一般在10-1~10-3量级。与基模高斯光束相比,采用TEM10模拉盖尔-高斯光束的优点是,不会由于卫星运动而产生单光子捕获概率的损耗。通过考虑大气湍流的影响,对单光子捕获概率的表达式进行了修正。     

自由空间量子密钥分发中的信号同步解决方案

针对目前自由空间量子密钥分发（QKD）中的信号同步这一难点问题,提出一种采用外置光信号来解决信号同步问题的方案——光同步方案。在发送端利用声光调制器将外置激光器的连续激光分割成周期光脉冲序列,并作为同步光信号发送给接收端。接收端采用光电倍增管接收同步光脉冲信号,生成一个与发送端严格同步的信号,以此作为接收端的时基标准来进行单光子计数。采用高频的内部时钟信号来“监视”接收到的同步信号,从而提高计数准确性。该方案具有长距离性、无线性、低复杂度等特点,已成功应用于一个基于B92协议的自由空间QKD系统中。     

背景光对星地量子密钥分配量子误码率的影响

量子误码率是量子密钥分配系统的重要参数之一.对于星地量子密钥分配,采用具有泊松分布的高度衰减激光脉冲作为单光子源,建立了由背景光引起的量子误码率理论模型,给出了量子误码率的表达式.针对轨道高度为300km的低轨卫星-地面站间链路,进行了数值仿真分析.研究表明,背景光是限制自由空间量子密钥分配链路距离的主要因素之一,在低轨卫星-地面站间进行量子密钥分配是可行的.在白天,量子误码率的量级为10-3～10-2;在夜晚,满月时为10-4,新月时为10-6～10-5.     

Transmission medium and full fiber-optic setup for quantum key distribution applications

A fiber-optic-based coupled waveguide transmission medium is proposed to distribute secret keys in a single-photon polarization-based quantum cryptography setup. Polarization maintenance properties and coupling phenomena of the transmission medium are exploited to achieve accuracy and security of the transferred key. Elliptic fibers and fiber couplers are used to prepare the transmitted photons at the sender as well as analyze them at the receiver. The uniqueness of the setup stands on the exclusive use of fiber-optic components, enabling its construction on a single fiber line.     

Solution-processed small-molecule solar cells with 6.7% efficiency

Organic photovoltaic devices that can be fabricated by simple processing techniques are under intense investigation in academic and industrial laboratories because of their potential to enable mass production of flexible and cost-effective devices. Most of the attention has been focused on solution-processed polymer bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. A combination of polymer design, morphology control, structural insight and device engineering has led to power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) reaching the 6-8% range for conjugated polymer/fullerene blends. Solution-processed small-molecule BHJ (SM BHJ) solar cells have received less attention, and their efficiencies have remained below those of their polymeric counterparts. Here, we report efficient solution-processed SM BHJ solar cells based on a new molecular donor, DTS(PTTh(2))(2). A record PCE of 6.7% under AM 1.5 G irradiation (100 mW cm(-2)) is achieved for small-molecule BHJ devices from DTS(PTTh(2))(2):PC(70)BM (donor to acceptor ratio of 7:3). This high efficiency was obtained by using remarkably small percentages of solvent additive (0.25% v/v of 1,8-diiodooctane, DIO) during the film-forming process, which leads to reduced domain sizes in the BHJ layer. These results provide important progress for solution-processed organic photovoltaics and demonstrate that solar cells fabricated from small donor molecules can compete with their polymeric counterparts.     

Minimum Cost 100% Inspection Systems with Inspection Error

A field failure in certain products has the potential to cause human suffering and/or loss of life. To the manufacturer, these failures will result in a significant external failure cost. In this paper, cost minimization models are developed to determine an optimal inspection system for multiple 100% attribute inspections with inspection error. An example involving the visual inspection of a braze joint in a cardiac biopsy device is presented to illustrate the use of the models. A key result is that a system requiring an item to pass every inspection in order to be shipped to a customer is not always the best alternative. Examples illustrating the sensitivity of the model results to key cost and operational parameters are shown.     

Novel Tm-doped fluorotellurite glasses with enhanced quantum efficiency

In this paper, new highly Tm³⁺-doped tellurite glasses with host composition 75TeO₂-xZnF₂-yGeO₂-12PbO-3Nb₂O₅ [x(5-15), y(0-5) mol%] are presented and compared to the Tm-doped tellurite glasses based on the traditional host composition: 75TeO₂-20ZnO-5Na₂O mol%. Enhanced quantum efficiency from ³F₄ level was observed for the proposed glasses and thermal stability and viscosity values make them suitable for optical fiber drawing. Besides the host composition, substantial influence of Tm³⁺ concentration on luminescence and lifetime of excited ³F₄ and ³H₄ states were discussed.