Improved decoy-state quantum key distribution with uncharacterized heralded single-photon sources

Encoding system plays a significant role in quantum key distribution(QKD).However,the security and performance of QKD systems can be compromised by encoding misalignment due to the inevitable defects in realistic devices.To alleviate the influence of misalignments,a method exploiting statistics from mismatched basis is proposed to enable uncharacterized sources to generate secure keys in QKD.In this work,we propose a scheme on four-intensity decoy-state quantum key distribution with uncharacterized heralded single-photon sources.It only requires the source states are prepared in a two-dimensional Hilbert space,and can thus reduce the complexity of practical realizations.Moreover,we carry out corresponding numerical simulations and demonstrate that our present four-intensity decoy-state scheme can achieve a much higher key rate compared than a three-intensity decoy-state method,and meantime it can obtain a longer transmission distance compared than the one using weak coherent sources.

Round-Robin Differential Phase Shift with Heralded Single-Photon Source

Round-robin differential phase shift （RRDPS） is a novel quantum key distribution protocol which can bound information leakage without monitoring signal disturbance. In this work, to decrease the effect of the vacuum component in a weak coherent pulses source, we employ a practical decoy-state scheme with heralded singlephoton source for the RRDPS protocol and analyze the performance of this method. In this scheme, only two decoy states are needed and the yields of single-photon state and multi-photon states, as well as the bit error rates of each photon states, can be estimated. The final key rate of this scheme is bounded and simulated over transmission distance. The results show that the two-decoy-state method with heralded single-photon source performs better than the two-decoy-state method with weak coherent pulses.

Passive Decoy-State Reference-Frame-Independent Quantum Key Distribution with Heralded Single-Photon Source

Reference-frame-independent（RFI）quantum key distribution（QKD）is a protocol which can share unconditional secret keys between two remote users without the alignment of slowly varying reference frames.We propose a passive decoy-state RFI-QKD protocol with heralded single-photon source（HSPS）and present its security analysis.Compared with RFI QKD using a weak coherent pulse source（WCPS）,numerical simulations show that the passive decoy-state RFI QKD with HSPS performs better not only in secret key rate but also in secure transmission distance.Moreover,our protocol is robust against the relative motion of the reference frames as well as RFI QKD with the WCPS.In addition,we also exploit Hoeffding＇s inequality to investigate the finite-key effect on the security of the protocol.

Practical non-orthogonal decoy state quantum key distribution with heralded single photon source

Recently the performance of the quantum key distribution （QKD） is substantially improved by the decoy state method and the non-orthogonal encoding protocol, separately. In this paper, a practical non-orthogonal decoy state protocol with a heralded single photon source （HSPS） for QKD is presented. The protocol is based on 4 states with different intensities. i.e. one signal state and three decoy states. The signal state is for generating keys; the decoy states are for detecting the eavesdropping and estimating the fraction of single-photon and two-photon pulses. We have discussed three cases of this protocol, i.e. the general case, the optimal case and the special case. Moreover, the final key rate over transmission distance is simulated. For the low dark count of the HSPS and the utilization of the two-photon pulses, our protocol has a higher key rate and a longer transmission distance than any other decoy state protocol.

Micropillar Cavity Design for 1.55-μm Quantum-Dot Single-Photon Sources

The 1.55-μm quantum-dot (QD) micropillar cavities are strongly required as single photon sources (SPSs) for silica-fiber-based quantum information processing. Theoretical analysis shows that the adiabatic distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) structure may greatly improve the quality of a micropillar cavity. An InGaAsP/InP micropillar cavity is originally difficult, but it becomes more likely usable with inserted tapered (thickness decreased towards the center) distributed DBRs. Simulation turns out that, incorporating adiabatically tapered DBRs, a Si/SiO2- InP hybrid micropillar cavity, which enables weakly coupling InAs/InP quantum dots (QDs), can even well satisfy strong coupling at a smaller diameter. Certainly, not only the tapered structure, other adiabatic designs, e.g., both DBR layers getting thicker and one thicker one thinner, also improve the quality, reduce the diameter, and degrade the fabrication difficulty of Si/SiO2-InP hybrid micropillar cavities. Furthermore, the problem of the thin epitaxial semiconductor layer can also be greatly resolved by inserting adiabatic InGaAsP/InP DBRs. With tapered DBRs, the InGaAsP/InP-air-aperture micro-pillar cavity serves as an efficient, coherent, and monolithically producible 1.55-μm single-photon source (SPS). The adiabatic design is thus an effective way to obtain prospective candidates for 1.55-μm QD SPSs.

A Bright Single-Photon Source from Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers in Diamond Nanowires

Single-photon flux is one of the crucial properties of nitrogen vacancy （NV） centers in diamond for its application in quantum information techniques. Here we fabricate diamond conical nanowires to enhance the single-photon count rate. Through the interaction between tightly confined optical mode in nanowires and NV centers, the single-photon lifetime is much shortened and the collection efficiency is enhanced. As a result, the detected single-photon rate can be at 564 kcps, and the total detection coefficient can be 0.8%, which is much higher than that in bulk diamond. Such a nanowire single-photon device with high photon flux can be applied to improve the fidelity of quantum computation and the precision of quantum sensors.

Measurement Device Independent Quantum Key Distribution Based on Orbital Angular Momentum under Parametric Light Source

On the one hand,existing measurement device independent quantum key distribution(MDI-QKD)protocols have usually adopted single photon source(SPS)and weak coherent photon(WCP),however,these protocols have suffered from multi-photon problem brought from photon splitter number attacks.On the other hand,the orbital angular momentum(OAM)-MDI-QKD protocol does not need to compare and adjust the reference frame,solving the dependency of the base in the MDI-QKD protocol.Given that,we propose the OAM-MDI-QKD protocol based on the parametric light sources which mainly include single-photon-added-coherent(SPACS)and heralded single-photon sources(HSPS).Due to the stability of OAM and the participation of parametric light sources,the performance of MDI-QKD protocol gradually approaches the ideal situation.Numerical simulation shows that compared with WCP scheme,HSPS and SPACS schemes have increased the maximum secure transmission distance by 30 km and 40 km respectively.

Single-photon source with sub-MHz linewidth for cesium-based quantum information processing

A single-photon source with narrow bandwidth,high purity,and large brightness can efficiently interact with material qubits strongly coupled to an optical microcavity for quantum information processing.Here,we experimentally demonstrate a degenerate doubly resonant single-photon source at 852 nm by the cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric downconversion process with a 100%duty cycle of generation.The single photon source possesses both high purity with a second-order correlation g^((2))_(h)(0)=0.021 and narrow linewidth with△_(V_(sp))=(800±13)kHz.The single-photon s Single-photon source with sub-MHz linewidth for cesium-based quantum information processingource is compatible with the cesium atom D2 line and can be used for cesium-based quantum information processing Single-photon source with sub-MHz linewidth for cesium-based quantum information processing0.021.

Fiber coupled high count-rate single-photon generated from InAs quantum dots

In this work,we achieve high count-rate single-photon output in single-mode(SM)optical fiber.Epitaxial and dilute InAs/GaAs quantum dots(QDs)are embedded in a GaAs/AlGaAs distributed Bragg reflector(DBR)with a micro-pillar cavity,so as to improve their light emission extraction in the vertical direction,thereby enhancing the optical SM fiber’s collection capabil-ity(numerical aperture:0.13).By tuning the temperature precisely to make the quantum dot exciton emission resonant to the micro-pillar cavity mode(Q~1800),we achieve a fiber-output single-photon count rate as high as 4.73×10^(6) counts per second,with the second-order auto-correlation g2(0)remaining at 0.08.

Micro/nano-fiber-based source of heralded single photons at the telecom band

We experimentally demonstrate a heralded single photon source at 1290 nm by exploiting the spontaneous four wave mixing in a taper-drawn micro/nano-fiber（MNF）. Because the frequency detuning between the pump and heralded single photons is ~58 THz, the contamination by Raman scattering is significantly reduced at room temperature. Since the MNF is naturally connected to standard single mode fibers via fiber tapers, the source would be compatible with the existing fiber networks. When the emission rate of heralded signal photons is about 4.6 kHz, the measured second-order intensity correlation function g（2）（0） is 0.017 ± 0.002, which is suppressed by a factor of more than 55, relative to the classical limit.

标记单光子源下探测器死时间的量子密钥分配

考虑到当光子传输速率过高时,量子密钥分配协议在实际应用中会受到探测器死时间的影响,因此对基于标记单光子源协议的安全密钥生成速率和探测器死时间之间的关系进行了探究。首先,在考虑和不考虑探测器死时间这两种情况下,探究了安全密钥生成速率和探测器死时间之间的关系。结果表明:当光子传输速率过高时,探测器死时间的存在的确会影响安全密钥生成速率。进一步分析了不同探测器死时间下安全密钥速率的生成情况。结果表明:探测器死时间的取值越大,得到的安全密钥生成速率就越低,安全密钥生成速率的极限值和探测器死时间τ之间的关系为4.2/τ。

基于1/4波片的腔增强自发参量下转换过程中双折射效应的补偿

腔增强的光学自发参量下转换是量子光学中产生量子光场的基本方法之一,然而下转换过程往往受到非线性晶体的双折射效应的影响.特别是在利用II类准相位匹配非线性晶体产生双光子对的过程中,晶体的双折射效应使得信号光和闲置光不能同时起振.本文提出并验证了一种利用1/4波片补偿信号光和闲置光的光程的方法,在保证较小内腔损耗及良好的调节自由度的情况下,以相对简洁的装置实现信号光和闲置光的双共振.

基于标记配对相干态光源的实用化诱骗态量子随机数发生器

基于维度目击的量子随机数发生协议中需要使用完美的单光子源,现实中难以低成本、较方便地实现.本文给出了一种基于标记配对相干态光源的实用化诱骗态量子随机数生成协议,利用三强度诱骗态的方法可以准确估计出随机数生成协议的最小熵,随机数提取率比基于弱相干态光源的诱骗态量子随机数生成协议更高.分析探测器的探测效率、后脉冲和探测效率不匹配对该协议安全性造成的影响,探测器的探测效率与最小熵呈正相关;后脉冲增加会降低输出的最小熵,影响随机数的安全性;在非对称基矢探测器效率的情况下,若其中一个测量基的探测效率较高,则该协议可以在另一个测量基的探测效率任意接近于0的情况下输出量子随机数.

Phonon-assisted upconversion photoluminescence of quantum emitters

Quantum emitters are widely used in quantum networks,quantum information processing,and quantum sensing due to their excellent optical properties.Compared with Stokes excitation,quantum emitters under anti-Stokes excitation exhibit better performance.In addition to laser cooling and nanoscale thermometry,anti-Stokes excitation can improve the coherence of single-photon sources for advanced quantum technologies.In this review,we follow the recent advances in phononassisted upconversion photoluminescence of quantum emitters and discuss the upconversion mechanisms,applications,and prospects for quantum emitters with anti-Stokes excitation.

Quantum interference with independent single-photon sources over 300 km fiber

In the quest to realize a scalable quantum network,semiconductor quantum dots(QDs)offer distinct advantages,including high single-photon efficiency and indistinguishability,high repetition rate(tens of gigahertz with Purcell enhancement),interconnectivity with spin qubits,and a scalable on-chip platform.However,in the past two decades,the visibility of quantum interference between independent QDs rarely went beyond the classical limit of 50%,and the distances were limited from a few meters to kilometers.Here,we report quantum interference between two single photons from independent QDs separated by a 302 km optical fiber.The single photons are generated from resonantly driven single QDs deterministically coupled to microcavities.Quantum frequency conversions are used to eliminate the QD inhomogeneity and shift the emission wavelength to the telecommunication band.The observed interference visibility is 0.670.02(0.930.04)without(with)temporal filtering.Feasible improvements can further extend the distance to∼600 km.Our work represents a key step to long-distance solid-state quantum networks.

基于预报单光子源的BB84诱惑态量子密钥分配研究

结合预报单光子源的量子密钥分配系统模型,介绍了三种典型的BB84诱惑态方案:主动诱惑态方案,被动诱惑态方案以及主动和被动诱惑态相结合的方案。结合数值仿真深入分析了三种方案在性能、实现难度等方面的优缺点。结论表明被动诱惑态思想可以进一步提高BB84诱惑态方案的密钥生成效率;BB84被动诱惑态方案(AYKI方案)由于无需主动制备诱惑态,所以实现最为简单,密钥分配速度快,且方案性能趋近于无穷诱惑态的理论极限值;主动和被动诱惑态相结合的方案性能虽然稍优于AYKI方案,但是改善空间很小。

预报单光子源诱骗态量子密钥产生率及数值计算

独立推导预报单光子源诱骗态量子密钥分发的密钥产生率计算公式,讨论密钥产生率和发送端探测效率的关系;进行弱相干光和预报单光子源诱骗态量子密钥分发的最优强度估计和密钥产生率数值计算.结果表明,预报单光子源诱骗态量子密钥分发的密钥产生率随着发送端探测效率的增加而增加,其安全通信距离与完美单光子源的通信距离一致;诱骗态量子密钥分发可提高安全通信距离和密钥产生率;预报单光子源由于减少了暗计数的影响,进一步提高了安全通信距离.

基于标记配对相干态光源的测量设备无关量子密钥分配

为提升量子密钥分配的性能,基于标记配对相干态光源,提出了一种四强度诱骗态测量设备无关量子密钥分配方案。首先,利用光源的双模态特性和光子数标记技术来提升传输性能,推导了单光子对计数率下限和误码率上限的计算公式;然后,考虑统计波动,分析了数据长度有限对方案性能的影响。数值仿真结果表明:基于标记配对相干态光源的测量设备无关量子密钥分配方案在安全传输距离和密钥生成效率上都优于现有基于弱相干态光源和预报单光子源的测量设备无关量子密钥分配方案;在统计波动条件下,方案性能会随着数据长度的减少而降低,但即使数据长度减少到10^10,基于标记配对相干态光源的测量设备无关量子密钥分配方案的最大传输损耗容忍度仍可达36 dB,优于现有的其他方案。

预报单光子源下的经典-量子信息共信道同传系统研究

分析了密集波分复用下的经典-量子信息共信道同传系统噪声特性,提出基于预报单光子源的经典-量子信息共信道同传方案.与传统的弱相干光源相比,其可以更精确地控制APD探测门限,进而实现时域滤波减少信道噪声干扰;并且可以通过控制探测器开启时间,有效避免空光子发送时的信道噪声及探测器暗计数影响。仿真结果表明,本方案提出的同传系统可有效抑制噪声干扰,与弱相干光源方案相比于更远距离达到误码率阈值,提升了安全通信距离,可作为远距离量子密钥通信共信道同传参考方案。

一种基于标记单光子源的态制备误差容忍量子密钥分发协议

在实际量子密钥分发系统中,由于设备、器件存在缺陷,在量子态制备过程中往往存在误差,而这些态制备误差会导致一定的系统安全性漏洞.本文在Tamaki等(Phys.Rev.A90052314)的工作基础之上,提出了一种基于标记单光子源的态制备误差容忍量子密钥分发协议.本文将发送端制备态误差进行参数刻画并带入量子密钥协议安全性分析之中,避免了实际应用中由于态制备装置的不理想可能引入的安全性漏洞,提高了系统的安全性.同时,为了方便起见,本文采用三强度诱骗态方案开展建模分析与数值仿真计算.仿真结果显示,本文提出的协议对态制备误差具有很好的鲁棒性.同时,由于标记单光子源具有真空脉冲概率低的优点,与此前基于弱相干态脉冲的同类协议相比,我们的协议在传输距离较远时能够显示出更优的性能.因而,该工作有望为未来发展长距离量子保密通信应用与研究提供重要的参考价值.