Chip-based quantum key distribution

Sibson, P. et al. (2017) Chip-based quantum key distribution. Nature Communications, 8, 13984. (doi: 10.1038/ncomms13984) (PMID:28181489) (PMCID:PMC5309763)

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Abstract

Improvement in secure transmission of information is an urgent need for governments, corporations and individuals. Quantum key distribution (QKD) promises security based on the laws of physics and has rapidly grown from proof-of-concept to robust demonstrations and deployment of commercial systems. Despite these advances, QKD has not been widely adopted, and large-scale deployment will likely require chip-based devices for improved performance, miniaturization and enhanced functionality. Here we report low error rate, GHz clocked QKD operation of an indium phosphide transmitter chip and a silicon oxynitride receiver chip—monolithically integrated devices using components and manufacturing processes from the telecommunications industry. We use the reconfigurability of these devices to demonstrate three prominent QKD protocols—BB84, Coherent One Way and Differential Phase Shift—with performance comparable to state-of-the-art. These devices, when combined with integrated single photon detectors, pave the way for successfully integrating QKD into future telecommunications networks.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Natarajan, Dr Chandra and Tanner, Dr Michael and Hadfield, Professor Robert
Authors: Sibson, P., Erven, C., Godfrey, M., Miki, S., Yamashita, T., Fujiwara, M., Sasaki, M., Terai, H., Tanner, M.G., Natarajan, C.M., Hadfield, R.H., O'Brien, J.L., and Thompson, M.G.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Nature Communications
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:2041-1723
ISSN (Online):2041-1723
Published Online:09 February 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 Nature Publishing Group
First Published:First published in Nature Communications 8:13984
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
645961Integrated Photonic Quantum technologiesRobert HadfieldEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/L024020/1ENG - ENGINEERING ELECTRONICS & NANO ENG