On-chip quantum key distribution over field-deployed fiber using lithium niobate photonic circuit

Quantum key distribution (QKD) systems have proven their theoretically unconditional security by quantum mechanics, but the scalability and cost barriers limit the rapid growth of the QKD system industry. The integration of QKD systems on chips has enabled their widespread adoption in secure quantum...

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Main Authors: Hyungjun Heo, Min Ki Woo, Chang-Hoon Park, Hyeong-Soon Jang, Hyeon Hwang, Hansuek Lee, Min-Kyo Seo, Sangin Kim, Hyounghan Kwon, Hojoong Jung, Sang-Wook Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2025-03-01
Series:APL Photonics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0223694
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author Hyungjun Heo
Min Ki Woo
Chang-Hoon Park
Hyeong-Soon Jang
Hyeon Hwang
Hansuek Lee
Min-Kyo Seo
Sangin Kim
Hyounghan Kwon
Hojoong Jung
Sang-Wook Han
author_facet Hyungjun Heo
Min Ki Woo
Chang-Hoon Park
Hyeong-Soon Jang
Hyeon Hwang
Hansuek Lee
Min-Kyo Seo
Sangin Kim
Hyounghan Kwon
Hojoong Jung
Sang-Wook Han
author_sort Hyungjun Heo
collection DOAJ
description Quantum key distribution (QKD) systems have proven their theoretically unconditional security by quantum mechanics, but the scalability and cost barriers limit the rapid growth of the QKD system industry. The integration of QKD systems on chips has enabled their widespread adoption in secure quantum communication technologies, but the optimized platforms and designs are still being studied. Herein, we fabricated monolithic quantum photonic circuits for the BB84 QKD protocol using thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN), which enables flexible design in organizing both active and passive elements on one chip based on its superior material properties. The proposed circuit design for both transmitter and receiver parts are identical, which facilitates stable operation and mass production. Using our device, we demonstrated QKD over a field-deployed quantum channel, and its performance is comparable to state-of-the-art. This result proved the potential of TFLN for quantum communication technology.
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issn 2378-0967
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher AIP Publishing LLC
record_format Article
series APL Photonics
spelling doaj-art-f8da27c8a6ff4eb6a072b8eedee5c5a62025-08-20T01:55:52ZengAIP Publishing LLCAPL Photonics2378-09672025-03-01103031301031301-910.1063/5.0223694On-chip quantum key distribution over field-deployed fiber using lithium niobate photonic circuitHyungjun Heo0Min Ki Woo1Chang-Hoon Park2Hyeong-Soon Jang3Hyeon Hwang4Hansuek Lee5Min-Kyo Seo6Sangin Kim7Hyounghan Kwon8Hojoong Jung9Sang-Wook Han10Technological Convergence Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South KoreaCenter for Quantum Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South KoreaCenter for Quantum Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South KoreaCenter for Quantum Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South KoreaDepartment of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South KoreaDepartment of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South KoreaDepartment of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South KoreaDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, South KoreaCenter for Quantum Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South KoreaCenter for Quantum Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South KoreaCenter for Quantum Technology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul 02792, South KoreaQuantum key distribution (QKD) systems have proven their theoretically unconditional security by quantum mechanics, but the scalability and cost barriers limit the rapid growth of the QKD system industry. The integration of QKD systems on chips has enabled their widespread adoption in secure quantum communication technologies, but the optimized platforms and designs are still being studied. Herein, we fabricated monolithic quantum photonic circuits for the BB84 QKD protocol using thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN), which enables flexible design in organizing both active and passive elements on one chip based on its superior material properties. The proposed circuit design for both transmitter and receiver parts are identical, which facilitates stable operation and mass production. Using our device, we demonstrated QKD over a field-deployed quantum channel, and its performance is comparable to state-of-the-art. This result proved the potential of TFLN for quantum communication technology.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0223694
spellingShingle Hyungjun Heo
Min Ki Woo
Chang-Hoon Park
Hyeong-Soon Jang
Hyeon Hwang
Hansuek Lee
Min-Kyo Seo
Sangin Kim
Hyounghan Kwon
Hojoong Jung
Sang-Wook Han
On-chip quantum key distribution over field-deployed fiber using lithium niobate photonic circuit
APL Photonics
title On-chip quantum key distribution over field-deployed fiber using lithium niobate photonic circuit
title_full On-chip quantum key distribution over field-deployed fiber using lithium niobate photonic circuit
title_fullStr On-chip quantum key distribution over field-deployed fiber using lithium niobate photonic circuit
title_full_unstemmed On-chip quantum key distribution over field-deployed fiber using lithium niobate photonic circuit
title_short On-chip quantum key distribution over field-deployed fiber using lithium niobate photonic circuit
title_sort on chip quantum key distribution over field deployed fiber using lithium niobate photonic circuit
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0223694
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