Secure Communication Based on Public Key Distribution with Imbalanced Twin-Field-QKD-like Infrastructure in Classical Coherent Optical Fiber Network

In quantum key distribution (QKD), the twin-field has been proposed as a means to overcome the linear key rate
bound, and hence the key generation rate, as well as to enable repeaterless QKD transmission. Despite
significant progress in TF-QKD and its variations in recent times, the key rates are still significantly low compared
to practical optical fiber networks. Recently, we demonstrated a new approach for phase-encoded public key
distribution based on randomized Glauber states in a classical coherent optical communication system for secure
optical communications (we refer to this as coherent public key distribution CPKD). Establishing how our
previously proposed framework can be thought of as the coherent equivalent of TF-QKD can lead us to ensure
data-security at high speed over long distance without being limited by the rate-distance barrier of QKD
transmission. This project focuses on investigating the equivalence between our recently demonstrated CPKD
approach and twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD). If successful, the proof-of-principle demonstrations
will provide a pathway for enabling secure data transmission in the telecommunication infrastructures that form
the backbone of smart cities, industries, and economies.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lawrence R. Chen;David Victor Plant

Student:

Partner:

Quantropi

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Information and cultural industries; Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McGill University

Program: