High-speed integrated QKD system

• DOI: 10.1364/prj.481475
• Publication Date: 2023-04-07T12:00:28Z
• Authors: Rebecka Sax; Alberto Boaron; Gianluca Boso; Simone Atzeni; Andrea Crespi; Fadri Grünenfelder; Davide Rusca; Aws Al-Saadi; Danilo Bronzi; Sebastian Kupijai; Hanjo Rhee; Roberto Osellame; Hugo Zbinden
• Keywords: Quantum key distribution

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is nowadays a well-established method for generating secret keys at distance in an information-theoretically secure way, as the secrecy of QKD relies on laws quantum physics and not computational complexity. In order to industrialize QKD, low-cost, mass-manufactured, practical setups are required. Hence, photonic electronic integration sender’s receiver’s respective components currently spotlight. Here we present high-speed (2.5 GHz) integrated setup featuring transmitter chip silicon photonics allowing modulation accurate state preparation, well polarization-independent low-loss receiver aluminum borosilicate glass fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining technique. Our system achieves raw bit error rates, rates equivalent much more complex state-of-the-art based discrete [ Boaron A. et al. , Phys. Rev. Lett. 121 190502 ( 2018 ) ].