Optical system for distribution of quantum key over atmospheric communication channel

Shiryaev D.S., Razzhivina K.R., Kundius A.А., Belyakov N.А., Polukhin I.S., Kolodezniy, E.S.

For Russian citation (Opticheskii Zhurnal):

Ширяев Д.С., Разживина К.Р., Кундиус А.А., Беляков Н.А., Полухин И.С., Колодезный Е.С. Оптическая система распределения квантового ключа по атмосферному каналу связи // Оптический журнал. 2024. Т. 91. № 8. С. 50–59. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2024-91-08-50-59

Shiryaev D.S., Razzhivina K.R., Kundius A.A., Belyakov N.A., Polukhin I.S., Kolodeznyi E.S. Optical system for distribution of quantum key over atmospheric communication channel // Opticheskii Zhurnal. 2024.V. 91. № 8. P. 50–59. http://doi.org/10.17586/1023-5086-2024-91-08-50-59

For citation (Journal of Optical Technology):

Abstract:

Subject of study. The optical system of quantum key distribution based on the subcarrier wave modulation method over an atmospheric channel was designed. The optical system consists of transmitting and receiving telescopes. The purpose of work. Development of an optical system that allows to use of single-mode fiber as the input and output of the system and ensure the transmission of an ultra-low power optical signal without introducing additional distortion and implement a protocol for distributing a quantum key over an atmospheric optical communication channel at a distance of up to 25 m. Method. The experimental setup with atmospheric quantum communication channel was obtained, which showed stable quantum key distribution without interrupting throughout the entire measurement process. Radiation propagation simulations were also carried out to estimate the insertion loss of the optical signal. Main results. As a result of the simulation, the optical losses in the quantum key distribution system were about 17 dB. The atmospheric communication channel was studied at distances of 5 m, 10 m and 25 m. The attenuation of the optical signal was about 8 dB, 13 dB and 18 dB, respectively, which were measured considering all optical elements of the system, including the ferules of the output and input fibers of the quantum key distribution modules. In accordance with the optical losses introduced by the atmosphere, the quantum key generation rates were on the order of 500 bit/s, 350 bit/s and 190 bit/s with increasing distance and, accordingly, insertion losses. The probability of a quantum error was in the range from 3% to 5%, which is below the threshold of 6%, which determines the legitimacy of the generated key and excludes an attack by an attacker on the communication channel. Practical significance. The compatibility of the developed optical system with single-mode optical fiber allows integration into the existing infrastructure of data transmission lines without additional optical radiation converters. The obtained characteristics of the optical system for distributing a quantum key over an atmospheric communication channel make it possible to use it in communication systems of the Internet of Things, unmanned vehicles and other moving objects.

Keywords:

optical wireless communication, quantum keys distribution, quantum communications, optical system, guidance system, lens, collimator

Acknowledgements:

this work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Research Project № 2019-1442.

OCIS codes: 080.2740; 080.3620

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