Free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution under high background noise

Abstract One of the difficulties in the application of quantum communication is the fragility of its encoded quantum states. Conventional quantum key distribution (QKD) requires strict filtering operations at the receiver. Any ambient light entering the system can significantly increase the bit erro...

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Main Authors: Xue-Tao Zheng, Qi-Fa Zhang, Jie Ling, Guang-Can Guo, Zheng-Fu Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:npj Quantum Information
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-025-01009-w
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author Xue-Tao Zheng
Qi-Fa Zhang
Jie Ling
Guang-Can Guo
Zheng-Fu Han
author_facet Xue-Tao Zheng
Qi-Fa Zhang
Jie Ling
Guang-Can Guo
Zheng-Fu Han
author_sort Xue-Tao Zheng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract One of the difficulties in the application of quantum communication is the fragility of its encoded quantum states. Conventional quantum key distribution (QKD) requires strict filtering operations at the receiver. Any ambient light entering the system can significantly increase the bit error rate and even render the system inoperable. We present a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) system that can function effectively during the day or even on rainy days without complex filtering operations. The Gaussian modulated coherent state continuous-variable quantum key distribution (GMCS CV-QKD) system demonstrates robustness, maintaining a secure key rate (SKR) of more than 100 kbps when operating at a frequency of 10 MHz, which lays the foundation for low-cost, highly robust free-space quantum communication.
format Article
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institution DOAJ
issn 2056-6387
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series npj Quantum Information
spelling doaj-art-bb29389cdff34a6da7ddb1f78723cdbe2025-08-20T02:49:35ZengNature Portfolionpj Quantum Information2056-63872025-03-011111810.1038/s41534-025-01009-wFree-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution under high background noiseXue-Tao Zheng0Qi-Fa Zhang1Jie Ling2Guang-Can Guo3Zheng-Fu Han4CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of ChinaAnhui Asky Quantum Technology Co. Ltd.Anhui Asky Quantum Technology Co. Ltd.CAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of ChinaCAS Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of ChinaAbstract One of the difficulties in the application of quantum communication is the fragility of its encoded quantum states. Conventional quantum key distribution (QKD) requires strict filtering operations at the receiver. Any ambient light entering the system can significantly increase the bit error rate and even render the system inoperable. We present a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) system that can function effectively during the day or even on rainy days without complex filtering operations. The Gaussian modulated coherent state continuous-variable quantum key distribution (GMCS CV-QKD) system demonstrates robustness, maintaining a secure key rate (SKR) of more than 100 kbps when operating at a frequency of 10 MHz, which lays the foundation for low-cost, highly robust free-space quantum communication.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-025-01009-w
spellingShingle Xue-Tao Zheng
Qi-Fa Zhang
Jie Ling
Guang-Can Guo
Zheng-Fu Han
Free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution under high background noise
npj Quantum Information
title Free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution under high background noise
title_full Free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution under high background noise
title_fullStr Free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution under high background noise
title_full_unstemmed Free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution under high background noise
title_short Free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution under high background noise
title_sort free space continuous variable quantum key distribution under high background noise
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-025-01009-w
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AT qifazhang freespacecontinuousvariablequantumkeydistributionunderhighbackgroundnoise
AT jieling freespacecontinuousvariablequantumkeydistributionunderhighbackgroundnoise
AT guangcanguo freespacecontinuousvariablequantumkeydistributionunderhighbackgroundnoise
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