Passive decoy state quantum key distribution: Closing the gap to perfect sources

Abstract

We propose a quantum key distribution scheme which closely matches the performance of a perfect single photon source. It nearly attains the physical upper bound in terms of key generation rate and maximally achievable distance. Our scheme relies on a practical setup based on a parametric downconversion source and present-day, non-ideal photon-number detection. Arbitrary experimental imperfections which lead to bit errors are included. We select decoy states by classical post-processing. This allows to improve the effective signal statistics and achievable distance.

4 pages, 3 figures. State preparation corrected

References in corpus (3)

• Quantum key distribution over 122 km of standard telecom fiber
• Photon number resolution using a time-multiplexed single-photon detector
• Photon-number-solving Decoy State Quantum Key Distribution

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Quantum key distribution with entangled photon sources
• Controlling passively-quenched single photon detectors by bright light
• Photon Number Statistics of Multimode Parametric Down-Conversion
• Quantum key distribution with triggering parametric down conversion sources
• Recent developments in quantum key distribution: theory and practice
• Quantum cryptography: theory and practice