Second generation QKD system over commercial fibers
László Bacsárdi, Z. Kis, Sándor Imre · 2016
Security of the communications could be ensured using cryptography protocols. While asymmetrical protocols can be cracked using quantum computers, the symmetrical protocols stand against quantum attacks. However, the keys need to be exchanged in a secure way. A method is offered by the quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols. The QKD system should operate close to the fundamental quantum noise level. A possible attack is to steal some photons during the communication, but every change will result in some excess noise. This is why it is important to know the base noise level of the system, and every possible solutions need to be considered to reduce the noise of the system. To foster the research in this field, we started to develop a second generation QKD system over a 16 km long single mode, ordinary telecommunications fiber and focused on noise reduction.