QKD Experiment Using ID281 SNSPD System from ID Quantique
ID Quantique (IDQ) is sharing its latest use case about a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) experiment. The equipment setup included the ID281 SNSPD, a simple polarization-based QKD system designed for long distance and to cope with high losses.
A Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detector (SNSPD) is a near-infrared and optical single-photon detector, based on a current-biased superconducting nanowire. QKD is a secure communication method that implements a cryptographic protocol involving components of quantum mechanics.
On September 27th 2019, the University of Padova published a paper about Simple Quantum Key Distribution with qubit-based synchronization and a self-compensating polarisation encoder. The researchers were attempting to develop a telecom-wavelength QKD system with a novel and simple qubit synchronisation method, combined with a system to implement encoding based on the polarisation states. The objective was to demonstrate excellent performance in demanding conditions. These conditions included a large optical loss over a 26 km-long fibre-based quantum channel and up to 43 dB link attenuation. (The losses were adjusted with a VOA.)
To read a summary of this use case, click here.
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