Long-distance free-space quantum key distribution with continuous variables

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2507.21546v1
• Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2025 07:21:24 GMT
• Title: Long-distance free-space quantum key distribution with continuous variables
• Authors: Tianxiang Zhan, Huasheng Li, Peng Huang, Haoze Chen, Jiaqi Han, Zijing Wu, Hao Fang, Hanwen Yin, Zehao Zhou, Huiting Fu, Feiyu Ji, Piao Tan, Yingming Zhou, Xueqin Jiang, Tao Wang, Jincai Wu, Cheng Ye, Yajun Miao, Wei Qi, Guihua Zeng,
• Abstract summary: Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) enables remote users to share high-rate and unconditionally secure secret keys.<n>CVQKD experiments have only been demonstrated indoors or over short outdoor distances.<n>We demonstrate for the first time long-distance free-space quantum key distribution over 7-km inland and 9.6-km maritime atmospheric channels.
• Score: 7.304370674075303
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) enables remote users to share high-rate and unconditionally secure secret keys while maintaining compatibility with classical optical communication networks and effective resistance against background noise. However, CVQKD experiments have only been demonstrated indoors or over short outdoor distances. Here, by developing channel-fluctuation-independent high-precision manipulation of continuous-variable quantum states, high-accuracy quantum signal acquisition and processing, and high-efficiency free-space acquisition, tracking, and pointing technology, we overcome the excess noise due to atmospheric effects especially in daylight without extra wavelength conversion and spectral filtering, and demonstrate for the first time long-distance free-space quantum key distribution over 7-km inland and 9.6-km maritime atmospheric channels with Gaussian-modulated coherent states. This achieved distribution distance of secure quantum secret keys is well beyond the atmosphere's effective thickness, offering a promising alternative for realizing satellite-based quantum cryptography communication in daylight. Moreover, given that the CVQKD system is naturally compatible with existing ground fiber telecommunication networks, it marks an essential step for realizing integrated air-ground quantum access networks with cross-domain applications.

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