Scalable twin-field quantum key distribution network enabled by adaptable architecture

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2504.15137v2
• Date: Tue, 27 May 2025 10:34:18 GMT
• Title: Scalable twin-field quantum key distribution network enabled by adaptable architecture
• Authors: Chunfeng Huang, Rui Guan, Xin Liu, Wenjie He, Shizhuo Li, Hao Liang, Ziyang Luo, Zhenrong Zhang, Wei Li, Kejin Wei,
• Abstract summary: Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a key application in quantum communication, enabling secure key exchange between parties using quantum states.<n>We propose a scalable TF-QKD network with adaptable architecture, where users prepare quantum signals and send them to network nodes.<n>A proof-of-principle demonstration with three users successfully achieved secure key sharing over simulated link losses of up to $30$ dB, with an average rate of $19.57$ bit/s.
• Score: 14.846406513309322
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
• Abstract: Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a key application in quantum communication, enabling secure key exchange between parties using quantum states. Twin-field (TF) QKD offers a promising solution that surpasses the repeaterless limits, and its measurement-device-independent nature makes it suitable for star-type network architectures. In this work, we propose a scalable TF-QKD network with adaptable architecture, where users prepare quantum signals and send them to network nodes. These nodes use an optical switch to route the signals to multi-user measurement units, enabling secure key distribution among arbitrary users and adapting to complex connection demands of the network. A proof-of-principle demonstration with three users successfully achieved secure key sharing over simulated link losses of up to $30$ dB, with an average rate of $19.57$ bit/s. Additionally, simulations show that the proposed architecture can achieve a total secure key rate of $4.84 \times 10^{4}$ bit/s at $100$ km in a symmetric $32$-user network. This approach represents a significant advancement in the topology of untrusted-node QKD networks and holds promise for practical, large-scale applications in secure communication.

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