All-photonic intercity quantum key distribution

Koji Azuma (), Kiyoshi Tamaki and William J. Munro
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Koji Azuma: NTT Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Corporation
Kiyoshi Tamaki: NTT Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Corporation
William J. Munro: NTT Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Corporation

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Recent field demonstrations of quantum key distribution (QKD) networks hold promise for unconditionally secure communication. However, owing to loss in optical fibres, the length of point-to-point links is limited to a hundred kilometers, restricting the QKD networks to intracity. A natural way to expand the QKD network in a secure manner is to connect it to another one in a different city with quantum repeaters. But, this solution is overengineered unless such a backbone connection is intercontinental. Here we present a QKD protocol that could supersede even quantum repeaters for connecting QKD networks in different cities below 800 km distant. Nonetheless, in contrast to quantum repeaters, this protocol uses only a single intermediate node with optical devices, requiring neither quantum memories nor quantum error correction. Our all-photonic ‘intercity’ QKD protocol bridges large gaps between the conventional intracity QKD networks and the future intercontinental quantum repeaters, conceptually and technologically.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10171

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