Skip to main content
Log in

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution using polarization encoding and post selection

  • Published:
Applied Physics B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We present an experimental demonstration of a quantum key distribution protocol using coherent polarization states. Post selection is used to ensure a low error rate and security against beam-splitting attacks even in the presence of high losses. Signal encoding and readout in polarization bases avoids the difficult task of sending a local oscillator with the quantum channel. This makes our setup robust and easy to implement. A shared key was established for losses up to 64%.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. For a review see: N. Gisin, G.G. Ribordy, W. Tittel, H. Zbinden: Rev. Mod. Phys. 74, 145 (2002)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. G. Brassard, N. Lütkenhaus, T. Mor, B.C. Sanders: Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 1330 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. C.H. Bennett: Phys. Rev. Lett. 68, 3121 (1992)

    Article  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  4. B. Huttner, N. Imoto, N. Gisin, T. Mor: Phys. Rev. A 51, 1863 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. R. Namiki, T. Hirano: Phys. Rev. A 67, 022308 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. G.A. Barbosa, E. Corndorf, P. Kumar, H.P. Yuen: Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 227901 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. C. Silberhorn, T.C. Ralph, N. Lütkenhaus, G. Leuchs: Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 167901 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. F. Grosshans, P. Grangier: quant-ph/0204127 (2002)

  9. F. Grosshans, G. Van Assche, J. Wenger, R. Brouri, N.J. Cerf, Ph. Grangier: Nature 421, 238 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. T. Hirano, T. Konishi, R. Namiki: quant-ph/0008037 (2000)

  11. T. Hirano, H. Yamanaka, M. Ashikaga, T. Konishi, R. Namiki: Phys. Rev. A 68, 042331 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. R.J. Glauber: Phys. Rev. 131, 2766 1963

  13. P. Horak: quant-ph/0306138 (2003)

  14. N. Korolkova, G. Leuchs, R. Loudon, T.C. Ralph, Ch. Silberhorn: Phys. Rev. A 65, 052306 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. G. Brassard, L. Salvail: ‘Secret-key Reconciliation by Public Discussion’. In: Advances in Cryptology – EUROCRYPT ’93 (Lect. Notes Comput. Sci. 765), ed. by T. Helleseth (Springer, Berlin 1994) p. 410

  16. C. Kurtsiefer, P. Zarda, M. Halder, H. Weinfurter, P.M. Gorman, P.R. Tapster, J.G. Rarity: Nature 419, 450 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. H. Zbinden, H. Bechmann-Pasquinucci, N. Gisin, G. Ribordy: Appl. Phys. B: Lasers Opt. 67, 743 (1998)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Lorenz.

Additional information

PACS

03.67.-a; 03.67.Dd; 42.50.Lc; 42.50.-p

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lorenz, S., Korolkova, N. & Leuchs, G. Continuous-variable quantum key distribution using polarization encoding and post selection. Appl. Phys. B 79, 273–277 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-004-1574-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-004-1574-7

Keywords

Navigation