Testing the photon-number statistics of a quantum key distribution light source
arXiv:1711.00440 · doi:10.1364/OE.26.022733
Abstract
A commonly held tenet is that lasers well above threshold emit photons in a coherent state, which follow a Poissonian statistics when measured in photon number. This feature is often exploited to build quantum-based random number generators or to derive the secure key rate of quantum key distribution systems. Hence the photon number distribution of the light source can directly impact the randomness and the security distilled from such devices. Here, we propose a method based on measuring correlation functions to experimentally characterise a light source's photon statistics and use it in the estimation of a quantum key distribution system's key rate. This promises to be a useful tool for the certification of quantum-related technologies.
11 pages, 7 figures
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- Photon number distribution of squeezed light from a silicon nitride microresonator measured without photon number resolving detectors
- Mitigating the source-side channel vulnerability by characterization of photon statistics
- Multi-photon emission from a resonantly pumped quantum dot
- Phase-correlation-free quantum key distribution source operating at gigahertz rates
- Practical Countermeasure Against Attacks Exploiting Detection Efficiency Mismatch in Quantum Key Distribution