We present an experimental demonstration of a quantum key distribution protocol using coherent polarization states. Post selection is used to ensure a low error rate and security against beam splitting attacks even in the presence of high losses. Signal encoding and readout in polarization bases avoids the difficult task of sending a local oscillator with the quantum channel. This makes our setup robust and easy to implement. A shared key was established for losses up to 64%.
We propose and discuss a specific scheme allowing to realize a Quantum Cryptography qutrit protocol. This protocol exploits the polarization properties of single frequency and single spatial mode biphotons.
A real-time polarization control system employing two nonorthogonal reference signals multiplexed in either time or wavelength with the data signal is presented. It is shown, theoretically and experimentally, that complete control of multiple polarization states can be attained employing polarization controllers in closed-loop configuration. Experimental results show that negligible added penalties, corresponding to an average added optical Quantum Bit Error Rate of 0.044%, can be achieved with response times smaller than 10 ms, without significant introduction of noise counts in the quantum c…
A one-way quantum key distribution scheme based on intrinsically stable Faraday-mirror type Michelson interferometers with four-port polarizing beampslitters has been demonstrated which can compensate for birefringence effects automatically. The encoding is performed with phase modulators, but decoding is accomplished through measurement of the polarization state of Bob's photons. An extinction ratio of about 30dB was maintained for several hours over 50km of fiber at 1310nm without any adjustment to the setup, which shows its good potential for practical systems
Silicon-based polarization-encoding quantum key distribution (QKD) has been widely studied, owing to its low cost and robustness. However, prior studies have utilized off-chip devices to demodulate the quantum states or perform polarization compensation, given the difficulty of fabricating polarized independent components on the chip. In this paper, we propose a fully chip-based decoder for polarization-encoding QKD. The chip realizes a polarization state analyzer and compensates for the BB84 protocol without requiring additional hardware. It is based on a polarization-to-path conversion metho…
We demonstrate the first implementation of polarization encoding measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD), which is immune to all detector side-channel attacks. Active phase randomization of each individual pulse is implemented to protect against attacks on imperfect sources. By optimizing the parameters in the decoy state protocol, we show that it is feasible to implement polarization encoding MDI-QKD over large optical fiber distances. A 1600-bit secure key is generated between two parties separated by 10 km of telecom fibers. Our work suggests the possibility of bui…
We show that the KLM scheme [Knill, Laflamme and Milburn, Nature {\bf 409}, 46] can be implemented using polarization encoding, thus reducing the number of path modes required by half. One of the main advantages of this new implementation is that it naturally incorporates a loss detection mechanism that makes the probability of a gate introducing a non-detected error, when non-ideal detectors are considered, dependent only on the detector dark-count rate and independent of its efficiency. Since very low dark-count rate detectors are currently available, a high-fidelity gate (probability of err…
Light is an irreplaceable means of communication among various quantum information processing and storage devices. Due to their different physical nature, some of these devices couple more strongly to discrete, and some to continuous degrees of freedom of a quantum optical wave. It is therefore desirable to develop a technological capability to interconvert quantum information encoded in these degrees of freedom. Here we generate and characterize an entangled state between a dual-rail (polarization-encoded) single-photon qubit and a qubit encoded as a superposition of opposite-amplitude cohere…
We develop and present a quantum cryptography concept in which phase determinations are made from the time that a photon is detected, as opposed to where the photon is detected, and hence is a non-interferometric process. The phase-encoded quantum information is contained in temporal and polarization superpositions of single photon states, forming a complex qudit of Hilbert dimension D equal to or greater than 4. Based on this, we have developed a new quantum key distribution protocol that allows the generation of secret key in the presence of higher noise than is possible with other protocols…
We demonstrate the decoy-state quantum key distribution (QKD) with one-way quantum communication in polarization space over 102km. Further, we simplify the experimental setup and use only one detector to implement the one-way decoy-state QKD over 75km, with the advantage to overcome the security loopholes due to the efficiency mismatch of detectors. Our experimental implementation can really offer the unconditionally secure final keys. We use 3 different intensities of 0, 0.2 and 0.6 for the pulses of source in our experiment. In order to eliminate the influences of polarization mode dispersio…
We present a new optical scheme for BB84 protocol quantum key distribution (QKD). The proposed setup consists of a compact all-fiber polarization encoding optical scheme based on LiNbO3 phase modulators, single laser source and two single-photon detectors. Optical scheme consists of standard telecommunication components and is suitable for both fiber and free-space quantum communication channels. Low losses (~2dB) in Bob's device increase both the key generation rate and distance limit. A new technique for solving polarization mode dispersion (PMD) issue in LiNbO3 is implemented, allowing two …
We propose efficient-phase-encoding protocols for continuous-variable quantum key distribution using coherent states and postselection. By these phase encodings, the probability of basis mismatch is reduced and total efficiency is increased. We also propose mixed-state protocols by omitting a part of classical communication steps in the efficient-phase-encoding protocols. The omission implies a reduction of information to an eavesdropper and possibly enhances the security of the protocols. We investigate the security of the protocols against individual beam splitting attack.
The Quantum Key Distribution protocol can encode a single quantum state and implements an information-theoretically secure key distribution protocol in communication. In the actual QKD experimental system, there are usually two encoding methods which are phase encoding and polarization encoding. Ma et al.[Phase-Matching Quantum Key Distribution, Phys. Rev. X., 2018, 8(3)] proposed the phase-matching QKD protocol, which has high transmission and it is an extension of the measurement device independent QKD. This paper successfully gives the polarization scheme of this PM-QKD protocol, the bases …
The encoding of quantum information in photonic time-bin qubits is apt for long distance quantum communication schemes. In practice, due to technical constraints such as detector response time, or the speed with which co-polarized time-bins can be switched, other encodings, e.g. polarization, are often preferred for operations like state detection. Here, we present the conversion of qubits between polarization and time-bin encodings using a method that is based on an ultrafast optical Kerr shutter and attain efficiencies of 97% and an average fidelity of 0.827+/-0.003 with shutter speeds near …
High-dimensional quantum states, or qudits, represent a promising resource in the quantum information field. Here we present the experimental generation of four-dimensional quantum states, or ququarts, encoded in the polarization and orbital angular momentum of a single photon. Our novel technique, based on the q-plate device, allows to prepare and measure the ququart in all five mutually unbiased bases. We report the reconstruction of the four dimensional density matrix through the tomographic procedure for different ququart states.
Underwater quantum key distribution (QKD) has potential applications in absolutely secure underwater communication. However, the performance of underwater QKD is limited by the optical elements, background light, and dark counts of the detector. In this paper, we propose a modified formula for the quantum bit error rate (QBER), which takes into account the effect of detector efficiency on the QBER caused by the background light. Then we calculate the QBER of the polarization encoding BB84 protocol in Jerlov type seawater by analyzing the effect of the background light and optical components in…
Integrated photonic technologies applied to quantum optics have recently enabled a wealth of breakthrough experiments in several quantum information areas. Path encoding was initially used to demonstrate operations on single or multiple qubits. However, a polarization encoding approach is often simpler and more effective. Two-qubits integrated logic gates as well as complex interferometric structures have been successfully demonstrated exploiting polarization encoding in femtosecond-laser-written photonic circuits. Still, integrated devices performing single-qubit rotations are missing. Here w…
Robust implementation of quantum key distribution requires precise state generation and measurements, as well as a transmission that is resistant to channel disturbances. However, the choice of the optimal encoding scheme is not trivial and depends on external factors such as the quantum channel. In fact, stable and low-error encoders are available for polarization encoding, suitable for free-space channels, whereas time-bin encoding represent a good candidate for fiber-optic channels, as birefingence does not perturb this kind of states. Here we present a cross-encoded scheme where high accur…
We propose a post-selection technique, based on quantum error detection, for quantum key distribution (QKD) systems that run over quantum repeaters with encoding. In such repeaters, quantum error correction techniques are used for entanglement distillation. By developing an analytical approach to study such quantum repeaters, we show that, in the context of QKD, it is often more efficient to use the error detection, rather than the error correction, capability of the underlying code to sift out cases where an error has been detected. We implement our technique for three-qubit repetition codes …
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) allows distant parties to exchange cryptographic keys with unconditional security by encoding information on the degrees of freedom of photons. Polarization encoding has been extensively used in QKD implementations along free-space, optical fiber and satellite-based links. However, the polarization encoders used in such implementations are unstable, expensive, complex and can even exhibit side-channels that undermine the security of the implemented protocol. Here we propose a self-compensating polarization encoder based on a Lithium Niobate phase modulator inside…
In this paper, a novel information leakage resistant quantum dialogue (QD) protocol with single photons in both polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom is proposed, which utilizes quantum encryption technology to overcome the information leakage problem. In the proposed QD protocol, during the transmission process, the single photons in both polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom used for encoding two communicants' private classical bits are protected by both quantum encryption technology and decoy photon technology. For avoiding the information leakage problem, the initial …
Polarizations of single-photon pulses have been controlled with long-term stability of more than 10 hours by using an active feedback technique for auto-compensation of unpredictable polarization scrambling in long-distance fiber. Experimental tests of long-term operations in 50, 75 and 100 km fibers demonstrated that such a single-photon polarization control supported stable polarization encoding in long-distance fibers to facilitate stable one-way fiber system for polarization-encoded quantum key distribution, providing quantum bit error rates below the absolute security threshold.
We show that weak measurements with post-selection, proposed in the context of the quantum theory of measurement, naturally appear in the everyday physics of fiber optics telecom networks through polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) and polarization-dependent losses (PDL). Specifically, the PMD leads to a time-resolved discrimination of polarization; the post-selection is done in the most natural way: one post-selects those photons that have not been lost because of the PDL. The quantum formalism is shown to simplify the calculation of optical networks in the telecom limit of weak PMD.
We propose a linear-optical implementation of a hyperentanglement-assisted quantum error-correcting code. The code is hyperentanglement-assisted because the shared entanglement resource is a photonic state hyperentangled in polarization and orbital angular momentum. It is possible to encode, decode, and diagnose channel errors using linear-optical techniques. The code corrects for polarization "flip" errors and is thus suitable only for a proof-of-principle experiment. The encoding and decoding circuits use a Knill-Laflamme-Milburn-like scheme for transforming polarization and orbital angular …
Calibration of the polarization basis between the transmitter and receiver is an important task in quantum key distribution (QKD). An effective polarization-basis tracking scheme will decrease the quantum bit error rate (QBER) and improve the efficiency of a polarization encoding QKD system. In this paper, we proposed a polarization-basis tracking scheme using only unveiled sifted key bits while performing error correction by legitimate users, rather than introducing additional reference light or interrupting the transmission of quantum signals. A polarization-encoding fiber BB84 QKD prototype…
In this paper, we analyze a potential procedure based on the combination of an alternative information encoding system inside the state of an electromagnetic mode and on continuous-variable post-selected teleportation, for speed up computational power of a classic architecture up to resolution of problems in PSPACE.
We demonstrate a prototype-implementation of deterministic information encoding for quantum key distribution (QKD) following the ping-pong coding protocol [K. Bostroem, T. Felbinger, Phys. Rev. Lett. 89 (2002) 187902-1]. Due to the deterministic nature of this protocol the need for post-processing the key is distinctly reduced compared to non-deterministic protocols. In the course of our implementation we analyze the practicability of the protocol and discuss some security aspects of information transfer in such a deterministic scheme.
Trace decreasing dynamical maps are as physical as trace preserving ones; however, they are much less studied. Here we overview how the quantum Sinkhorn theorem can be successfully applied to find a two-qubit entangled state which has the strongest robustness against local noises and losses of quantum information carriers. We solve a practically relevant problem of finding an optimal initial encoding to distribute entangled polarized qubits though communication lines with polarization dependent losses and extra depolarizing noise. The longest entanglement lifetime is shown to be attainable wit…
The faithful distribution of entanglement over noisy channels is a vital prerequisite for many quantum technological applications. Quantum information can be encoded in different degrees of freedom (DOF) of photons, where each encoding comes with its own advantages and disadvantages with respect to noise resilience and practicality in manipulation. In this work, we experimentally implement a deterministic entanglement purification protocol that allows us to faithfully distribute entanglement in one DOF over a noisy channel and then remotely transfer it to another DOF for manipulation. In parti…
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) using polarisation encoding can be hard to implement over deployed telecom fibres because the routing geometry and the birefringence of the fibre link can alter the polarisation states of the propagating photons. These alterations cause a basis mismatch, leading to an increased Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER). In this work we demonstrate a technique for dynamically compensating fibre-induced state alteration in a QKD system over deployed fibre. This compensation scheme includes a feedback loop that minimizes the QBER using a stochastic optimization algorithm.
A scheme for the implementation of the cluster state model of quantum computing in optical fibers, which enables the feedforward feature, is proposed. This scheme uses the time-bin encoding of qubits. Following previously suggested methods of applying arbitrary one-qubit gates in optical fibers, two different ways for the realization of fusion gate types I and II for cluster production are proposed: a fully time-bin based encoding scheme and a combination of time-bin and polarization based encoding scheme. Also the methods of measurement in any desired bases for the purpose of the processing o…
We present an integrated source of polarization entangled photon pairs in the telecom regime, which is based on type II-phasematched parametric down-conversion (PDC) in a Ti-indiffused waveguide in periodically poled lithium niobate. The domain grating -- consisting of an interlaced bi-periodic structure -- is engineered to provide simultaneous phase-matching of two PDC processes, and enables the direct generation of non-degenerate, polarization entangled photon pairs with a brightness of $B=7\times10^3$ pairs/(s mW GHz). The spatial separation of the photon pairs is accomplished by a fiber-op…
Quantum interference, like Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, has played an important role to test fundamental concepts in quantum physics. We experimentally show that the multiple quantum interference effects enable the generation of high-performance polarization entangled photons. These photons have a high-emission rate, are degenerate, have a broadband distribution, and are postselection free. A quantum interferometric scheme, based on a round-trip configuration of a double-pass polarization Sagnac interferometer, makes it possible to use the large generation efficiency of polarization entangled …
We present a linear optical scheme for error-free distribution of two-photon polarization entangled Bell states over noisy channels. The scheme can be applied to an elementary quantum repeater protocol with potentially significant improvements in efficiency and system complexity. The scheme is based on the use of polarization and time-bin encoding of photons and can perform single-pair, single-step purification with currently available technology.
End-to-End Quantum Key Distribution Across Hybrid Fiber and Free-Space Links with All-Optical Encoding Conversion
Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University（特拉维夫大学理学院雷蒙德和贝弗利·萨克勒物理与天文学系）；School of Electrical Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University（特拉维夫大学工程学院艾拜和阿拉达尔·弗莱什曼电气工程系）；HEQA Security（HEQA安全公司）；Racah Institute of Physics, Faculty of Science, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem（耶路撒冷希伯来大学理学院拉卡物理研究所）
We report on the quantum storage and retrieval of photonic polarization quantum bits onto and out of a solid state storage device. The qubits are implemented with weak coherent states at the single photon level, and are stored for 500 ns in a praseodymium doped crystal with a storage and retrieval efficiency of 10%, using the atomic frequency comb scheme. We characterize the storage by using quantum state tomography, and find that the average conditional fidelity of the retrieved qubits exceeds 95% for a mean photon number mu=0.4. This is significantly higher than a classical benchmark, taking…
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) relies on quantum communication to allow distant parties to share a secure cryptographic key. Widespread adoption of QKD in current telecommunication networks will require the development of simple, low cost and stable systems. However, current QKD implementations usually include additional hardware that perform auxiliary tasks such as temporal synchronization and polarization basis tracking. Here we present a polarization-based QKD system operating at 1550 nm that performs synchronization and polarization compensation by exploiting only the hardware already need…
In this work we establish a link between two apparently unrelated subjects: polarization effects in optical fibers and devices, and the quantum theory of weak measurements. We show that the abstract concept of weak measurements followed by post-selection, introduced a decade ago by quantum theorists, naturally appears in the everyday physics of telecom networks.
In this paper, a novel quantum dialogue (QD) protocol is proposed based on single photons in both polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom. In the proposed QD protocol, the initial states of single photons in both polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom used for encoding are privately shared between two communicants through the direct transmissions of their auxiliary counterparts from one communicant to another. As a result, the information leakage problem is avoided. Moreover, the detailed security analysis also shows that the proposed QD protocol can resist Eve's several fam…
We present an experimental implementation of optimum measurements for quantum state discrimination. Optimum maximum-confidence discrimination and optimum unambiguous discrimination of two mixed single-photon polarization states were performed. For the latter the states of rank two in a four-dimensional Hilbert space are prepared using both path and polarization encoding. Linear optics and single photons from a true single-photon source based on a semiconductor quantum dot are utilized.
