Quantum key distribution over a 72 dB channel loss using ultralow dark count superconducting single-photon detectors

Abstract

We report the first Quantum key distribution (QKD) experiment over a 72 dB channel loss using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SSPD, SNSPD) with the dark count rate (DCR) of 0.01 cps. The DCR of the SSPD, which is dominated by the blackbody radiation at room temperature, is blocked by introducing cold optical bandpass filter. We employ the differential phase shift QKD (DPS-QKD) scheme with a 1 GHz system clock rate. The quantum bit error rate (QBER) below 3 % is achieved when the length of the dispersion shifted fiber (DSF) is 336 km (72 dB loss), which is low enough to generate secure keys.

6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Opt. Lett

References in corpus (3)

• Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors: physics and applications
• 2-GHz clock quantum key distribution over 260 km of standard telecom fiber
• Unconditional Security of Single-Photon Differential Phase Shift Quantum Key Distribution

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