Atmospheric effects on satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution using coherent states

Abstract

Satellite-based quantum cryptography has already been demonstrated using discrete variable technology. Nonetheless, there is great interest in using weak coherent pulses to perform quantum key distribution (QKD) in the continuous variable (CV) paradigm. In this work, we study the feasibility of performing coherent-state CV-QKD via the satellite-to-ground channel. We use numerical methods to simulate atmospheric turbulence and compare the results with ground-based experimental data so as to confirm the validity of our approach. We find the results obtained from the numerical simulations agree well with the experimental data and represent an improvement over the state-of-the-art analytical models. Using the simulation results we then derive QKD key rates and find that useful non-zero key rates can be found over a limited range of zenith angles. Determination of QKD key rates using experimentally validated simulations of low-zenith-angle atmospheric channels represents an important step towards proving the feasibility of real-world satellite-to-Earth CV-QKD.

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Cited by in corpus (10)

• Feasibility of satellite-to-ground continuous-variable quantum key distribution
• Feasibility Assessment For Practical Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution Over The Satellite-to-Earth Channel
• Use of a Local Local Oscillator for the Satellite-to-Earth Channel
• Classical-Quantum Dual Encoding for Laser Communications in Space
• Optimised Multithreaded CV-QKD Reconciliation for Global Quantum Networks
• Exploiting Spatial Diversity in Earth-to-Satellite Quantum-Classical Communications
• Quantum Wavefront Correction via Machine Learning for Satellite-to-Earth CV-QKD
• Relative Wavefront Errors in Continuous-Variable Quantum Communication
• A Three-Mode Erasure Code for Continuous Variable Quantum Communications
• Enhanced Uplink Quantum Communication with Satellites via Downlink Channels