Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution: from idea towards application |
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Authors: | Raju Valivarthi Itzel Lucio-Martinez Philip Chan Allison Rubenok Caleb John Daniel Korchinski |
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Affiliation: | 1. Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.;2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.vrrvaliv@ucalgary.ca;4. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.;5. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. |
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Abstract: | We assess the overall performance of our quantum key distribution (QKD) system implementing the measurement-device-independent (MDI) protocol using components with varying capabilities such as different single-photon detectors and qubit preparation hardware. We experimentally show that superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors allow QKD over a channel featuring 60 dB loss, and QKD with more than 600 bits of secret key per second (not considering finite key effects) over a 16 dB loss channel. This corresponds to 300 and 80 km of standard telecommunication fiber, respectively. We also demonstrate that the integration of our QKD system into FPGA-based hardware (instead of state-of-the-art arbitrary waveform generators) does not impact on its performance. Our investigation allows us to acquire an improved understanding of the trade-offs between complexity, cost and system performance, which is required for future customization of MDI-QKD. Given that our system can be operated outside the laboratory over deployed fiber, we conclude that MDI-QKD is a promising approach to information-theoretic secure key distribution. |
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Keywords: | quantum key distribution quantum communication Bell-state measurement |
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