Decoy-State Quantum Key Distribution Over a Long-Distance High-Loss Air-Water Channel

Cheng-Qiu Hu, Zeng-Quan Yan, Jun Gao, Zhan-Ming Li, Heng Zhou, Jian-Peng Dou, and Xian-Min Jin
Phys. Rev. Applied 15, 024060 – Published 24 February 2021

Abstract

Atmospheric free space and fiber have been widely exploited as the channels for quantum communication, and have enabled intercontinent and intercity applications. An air-sea free-space channel, being capable of linking the satellite-based quantum resource and underwater vehicle, has now become the last piece of the puzzle in building a global quantum communication network. Here, we present an experimental demonstration of air-water decoy-state quantum key distribution against high loss, meanwhile keeping a low quantum bit error rate less than 2.5% for different distances. We are able to reach a long-distance quantum key distribution in water channel that can enable real-life air-sea quantum-communication tasks. The demonstrated distance, even in coastal water of Jerlov type III, is up to 30 m, about one-order improvement over the proof-in-principle demonstrations in the previous experiments, and the channel loss is equivalent to 345-m-long clean seawater of Jerlov type I, representing a key step forward to practical air-sea secure communication.

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  • Received 6 August 2020
  • Revised 15 January 2021
  • Accepted 5 February 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.15.024060

© 2021 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

General PhysicsQuantum Information, Science & TechnologyAtomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

Cheng-Qiu Hu1,2, Zeng-Quan Yan1,2, Jun Gao1,2, Zhan-Ming Li1,2, Heng Zhou1,2, Jian-Peng Dou1,2, and Xian-Min Jin1,2,*

  • 1Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies (IQIT), School of Physics and Astronomy and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
  • 2CAS Center for Excellence and Synergetic Innovation Center in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China

  • *xianmin.jin@sjtu.edu.cn

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Vol. 15, Iss. 2 — February 2021

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