Recon?figurable measurement scheme compatible with MDI-QKD and BB84 protocols using single-laser sideband generation

Abstract

A quantum network can be operated efficiently by switching between measurement-device independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) and BB84 according to the trust level of an intermediate node, since MDI-QKD is immune to all detector side-channel attacks while generally yielding a lower secret-key rate. Here, we present a proof-of-principle demonstration of a recon?figurable measurement scheme compatible with both protocols using a single laser. Two mutually independent weak coherent states (WCSs) are generated from a shared continuous-wave laser via electro-optic phase modulation and subsequent ?first-order sideband fi?ltering. Channel indistinguishability is verifi?ed using two complementary Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) measurements: time-resolved coincidence measurements and polarization mismatch scans, both yielding HOM visibilities close to the theoretical limit of 0.5 for WCSs. The measurement module performs a partial Bell-state measurement for MDI-QKD, while rotating a single half-wave plate to 22.5 degree reconfi?gures the same module into a dual-basis polarization analyzer for BB84. The quantum bit error rates measured in both confi?gurations agree well with theoretical expectations, verifying the operational feasibility of the reconfi?gurable receiver at the physical layer. By eliminating the need for active frequency locking while retaining independent sideband tunability, this approach provides a practical foundation for flexible and cost-effective quantum networks.

6 pages, 3 figures