Alignment-free quantum key distribution by postselection
Xihan Li, Zhi Zeng, Chun Wang · Journal of the Optical Society of America B · 2014
We propose an alignment-free photonic qubit transmission scheme and apply it in quantum key distribution schemes, in which the authorized parties do not have to calibrate their Cartesian reference frames in advance. The polarization states are labeled by time, and the receiver can obtain the original state in his own coordinate by postselecting a determinate time of arrival. The scheme does not resort to decoherence-free subspace based on multiple photon states, and it can be implemented with only passive linear optics, which make it efficient and practical with current technology. We demonstrate its application in quantum key distributions, and the scheme should find applications in long-distance quantum communication without frame alignment.