Satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution

Sheng-Kai Liao, Wen-Qi Cai, Wei-Yue Liu, Liang Zhang, Yang Li, Ji-Gang Ren, Juan Yin, Qi Shen, Yuan Cao, Zheng-Ping Li, Feng-Zhi Li, Xia-Wei Chen, Li-Hua Sun, Jian-Jun Jia, Jin-Cai Wu, Xiao-Jun Jiang, Jian-Feng Wang, Yong-Mei Huang, Qiang Wang, Yi-Lin Zhou, Lei Deng, Tao Xi, Lu Ma, Tai Hu, Qiang Zhang, Yu-Ao Chen, Nai-Le Liu, Xiang-Bin Wang, Zhen-Cai Zhu, Chao-Yang Lu, Rong Shu, Cheng-Zhi Peng (), Jian-Yu Wang () and Jian-Wei Pan ()
Additional contact information
Sheng-Kai Liao: University of Science and Technology of China
Wen-Qi Cai: University of Science and Technology of China
Wei-Yue Liu: University of Science and Technology of China
Liang Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China
Yang Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Ji-Gang Ren: University of Science and Technology of China
Juan Yin: University of Science and Technology of China
Qi Shen: University of Science and Technology of China
Yuan Cao: University of Science and Technology of China
Zheng-Ping Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Feng-Zhi Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Xia-Wei Chen: University of Science and Technology of China
Li-Hua Sun: University of Science and Technology of China
Jian-Jun Jia: Key Laboratory of Space Active Opto-Electronic Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jin-Cai Wu: Key Laboratory of Space Active Opto-Electronic Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiao-Jun Jiang: National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jian-Feng Wang: National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yong-Mei Huang: Key Laboratory of Optical Engineering, Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qiang Wang: Key Laboratory of Optical Engineering, Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yi-Lin Zhou: Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites
Lei Deng: Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites
Tao Xi: State Key Laboratory of Astronautic Dynamics, Xi’an Satellite Control Center
Lu Ma: Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tai Hu: National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qiang Zhang: University of Science and Technology of China
Yu-Ao Chen: University of Science and Technology of China
Nai-Le Liu: University of Science and Technology of China
Xiang-Bin Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China
Zhen-Cai Zhu: Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites
Chao-Yang Lu: University of Science and Technology of China
Rong Shu: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China
Cheng-Zhi Peng: University of Science and Technology of China
Jian-Yu Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China
Jian-Wei Pan: University of Science and Technology of China

Nature, 2017, vol. 549, issue 7670, 43-47

Abstract: Abstract Quantum key distribution (QKD) uses individual light quanta in quantum superposition states to guarantee unconditional communication security between distant parties. However, the distance over which QKD is achievable has been limited to a few hundred kilometres, owing to the channel loss that occurs when using optical fibres or terrestrial free space that exponentially reduces the photon transmission rate. Satellite-based QKD has the potential to help to establish a global-scale quantum network, owing to the negligible photon loss and decoherence experienced in empty space. Here we report the development and launch of a low-Earth-orbit satellite for implementing decoy-state QKD—a form of QKD that uses weak coherent pulses at high channel loss and is secure because photon-number-splitting eavesdropping can be detected. We achieve a kilohertz key rate from the satellite to the ground over a distance of up to 1,200 kilometres. This key rate is around 20 orders of magnitudes greater than that expected using an optical fibre of the same length. The establishment of a reliable and efficient space-to-ground link for quantum-state transmission paves the way to global-scale quantum networks.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/nature23655

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