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Author Stucki, Damien; Barreiro, Claudio; Fasel, Sylvain; Gautier, Jean-Daniel; Gay, Olivier; Gisin, Nicolas; Thew, Rob; Thoma, Yann; Trinkler, Patrick; Vannel, Fabien; Zbinden, Hugo
Title Continuous high speed coherent one-way quantum key distribution Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Optics Express Abbreviated Journal Opt. Express
Volume 17 Issue 16 Pages 13326-13334
Keywords quantum cryptography, QKD, PNS, SSPD, coherent one way, COW
Abstract (up) Quantum key distribution (QKD) is the first commercial quantum technology operating at the level of single quanta and is a leading light for quantum-enabled photonic technologies. However, controlling these quantum optical systems in real world environments presents significant challenges. For the first time, we have brought together three key concepts for future QKD systems: a simple high-speed protocol; high performance detection; and integration both, at the component level and for standard fibre network connectivity. The QKD system is capable of continuous and autonomous operation, generating secret keys in real time. Laboratory and field tests were performed and comparisons made with robust InGaAs avalanche photodiodes and superconducting detectors. We report the first real world implementation of a fully functional QKD system over a 43dB-loss (150km) transmission line in the Swisscom fibre optic network where we obtained average real-time distribution rates over 3 hours of 2.5bps.
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Call Number RPLAB @ akorneev @ Serial 602
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Author Lydersen, Lars; Wiechers, Carlos; Wittmann, Christoffer; Elser, Dominique; Skaar, Johannes; Makarov, Vadim
Title Hacking commercial quantum cryptography systems by tailored bright illumination Type Journal Article
Year 2010 Publication Nature Photonics Abbreviated Journal Nat. Photon.
Volume 4 Issue 10 Pages 686 - 689
Keywords quantum cryptography, hacking, QKD, APD
Abstract (up) The peculiar properties of quantum mechanics allow two remote parties to communicate a private, secret key, which is protected from eavesdropping by the laws of physics. So-called quantum key distribution (QKD) implementations always rely on detectors to measure the relevant quantum property of single photons. Here we demonstrate experimentally that the detectors in two commercially available QKD systems can be fully remote-controlled using specially tailored bright illumination. This makes it possible to tracelessly acquire the full secret key; we propose an eavesdropping apparatus built of off-the-shelf components. The loophole is likely to be present in most QKD systems using avalanche photodiodes to detect single photons. We believe that our findings are crucial for strengthening the security of practical QKD, by identifying and patching technological deficiencies.
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Call Number RPLAB @ gujma @ Serial 657
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Author Scheel, Stefan
Title Single-photon sources–an introduction Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication J. Modern Opt. Abbreviated Journal
Volume 56 Issue 2-3 Pages 141-160
Keywords LOQC; quantum cryptography; QKD
Abstract (up) This review surveys the physical principles and recent developments in manufacturing single-photon sources. Special emphasis is placed on important potential applications such as linear optical quantum computing (LOQC), quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum metrology that drive the development of these sources of single photons. We discuss the quantum-mechanical properties of light prepared in a quantum state of definite photon number and compare it with coherent light that shows a Poissonian distribution of photon numbers. We examine how the single-photon fidelity directly influences the ability to transmit secure quantum bits over a predefined distance. The theoretical description of modified spontaneous decay, the main principle behind single-photon generation, provides the background for many experimental implementations such as those using microresonators or pillar microcavities. The main alternative way to generate single photons using postselection of entangled photon pairs from parametric down-conversion, will be discussed. We concentrate on describing the underlying physical principles and we will point out limitations and open problems associated with single-photon production.
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Call Number RPLAB @ gujma @ Serial 669
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Author Verevkin, A.; Slysz, W.; Pearlman, A.; Zhang, J.; Sobolewski, R.; Okunev, O.; Korneev, A.; Kouminov, P.; Smirnov, K.; Chulkova, G.; Gol’tsman, G. N.; Currie, M.
Title Real-time GHz-rate counting of infrared photons using nanostructured NbN superconducting detectors Type Conference Article
Year 2003 Publication CLEO/QELS Abbreviated Journal CLEO/QELS
Volume Issue Pages CThM8
Keywords NbN SSPD; SNSPD; Infrared; Quantum detectors; Detectors; Photon counting; Quantum communications; Quantum cryptography; Single photon detectors; Superconductors
Abstract (up) We demonstrate that our ultrathin, nanometer-width NbN superconducting single-photon detectors are capable of above 1-GHz-frequency, real-time counting of near-infrared photons. The measured system jitter of the detector is below 15 ps.
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Publisher Optical Society of America Place of Publication Editor
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Area Expedition Conference Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics/Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1517
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Author Verevkin, A. A.; Pearlman, A.; Slysz, W.; Zhang, J.; Sobolewski, R.; Chulkova, G.; Okunev, O.; Kouminov, P.; Drakinskij, V.; Smirnov, K.; Kaurova, N.; Voronov, B.; Gol’tsman, G.; Currie, M.
Title Ultrafast superconducting single-photon detectors for infrared wavelength quantum communications Type Conference Article
Year 2003 Publication Proc. SPIE Abbreviated Journal Proc. SPIE
Volume 5105 Issue Pages 160-170
Keywords NbN SSPD, SNSPD, applications, single-photon detector, quantum cryptography, quantum communications, superconducting devices
Abstract (up) We have developed a new class of superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) for ultrafast counting of infrared (IR) photons for secure quantum communications. The devices are operated on the quantum detection mechanism, based on the photon-induced hotspot formation and subsequent appearance of a transient resistive barrier across an ultrathin and submicron-wide superconducting stripe. The detectors are fabricated from 3.5-nm-thick NbN films and they operate at 4.2 K inside a closed-cycle refrigerator or liquid helium cryostat. Various continuous and pulsed laser sources have been used in our experiments, enabling us to determine the detector experimental quantum efficiency (QE) in the photon-counting mode, response time, time jitter, and dark counts. Our 3.5-nm-thick SSPDs reached QE above 15% for visible light photons and 5% at 1.3 – 1.5 μm infrared range. The measured real-time counting rate was above 2 GHz and was limited by the read-out electronics (intrinsic response time is <30 ps). The measured jitter was <18 ps, and the dark counting rate was <0.01 per second. The measured noise equivalent power (NEP) is 2 x 10-18 W/Hz1/2 at λ = 1.3 μm. In near-infrared range, in terms of the counting rate, jitter, dark counts, and overall sensitivity, the NbN SSPDs significantly outperform their semiconductor counterparts. An ultrafast quantum cryptography communication technology based on SSPDs is proposed and discussed.
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Publisher SPIE Place of Publication Editor Donkor, E.; Pirich, A.R.; Brandt, H.E.
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Area Expedition Conference Quantum Information and Computation
Notes Approved no
Call Number Serial 1514
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