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Entanglement-based Free Space

Quantum Cryptography in Full Daylight
Ilja Gerhardt, Matthew P. Peloso, Caleb Ho, Antia
Lamas-Linares and Christian Kurtsiefer
Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore, 117543

Abstract: Many free space quantum key distribution systems are restricted to operation at
night. Implementing spectral, spatial and temporal filtering techniques, we were able to
establish a secure key transmission over several days using entangled photons.
©2009 Optical Society of America
OCIS codes: (270.5568) Quantum cryptography; (270.5585) Quantum information and processing

Since the original proposal by Bennet and Brassard [1] quantum key distribution has made its steps from the
laboratory to the first steps of commercialization. Two families of protocols are established to generate a shared
random number between two distant parties in a secure manner. One is based on a scheme of ‘prepare and send’
using single photons or a dimmed laser beam, the other is an entanglement based scheme [2], which makes use
of a source of entangled photons to perform the key exchange. Both experimental schemes have been performed
in laboratory conditions or on fiber-based communications schemes. To establish an optical link between two
distant parties outside of the laboratory is more tedious, and has not been successful so far for the distribution of
entangled photons during daytime due to technical limitations of generating and identifying entangled photon
pairs.

In this presentation we introduce an enhanced entanglement based QKD system utilizing the BBM92 protocol
[3] which is capable to operate 24 hours a day continuously to generate a key on distant parties. The necessary
spectral, spatial and temporal filtering schemes are introduced to a former existing setup [4] suppressing more
than 30dB of noise. We are able to setup and establish the link during daytime. Using Rb oscillators as local
frequency references allows recapturing the link without any interaction even if the optical link is blocked in the
range of hours.

Fig. 1. Background accidental rate (green), secure bit rate (blue curve, scaled) and quantum bit error ratio (red)
continiously recorded over 48 hours of the experiment.

This opens up the possibility of QKD in both BB84 and E91 protocols to operate continuously, and we are now
generating key over a period of several days. Using brighter sources, both larger key generation rates and further
distances are possible. These studies open up the option for 24 hour enhanced communication security, as well
as distributing entanglement during daytime over a free space link.

References
[1] Charles Bennett and Gilles Brassard. Quantum cryptography: Public key distribution and coin tossing. Proc. IEEE, page 175, 1984.

[2] Artur Ekert. Quantum cryptography based on Bell's theorem. Phys. Rev. Lett., 67 661-663 (1991)

[3] Charles H Bennett, Gilles Brassard, and N David Mermin. Quantum cryptography without bell's theorem. Phys. Rev. Lett., 68 557-559,
(1992)

[4] Ivan Marcikic, Antia Lamas-Linares, and Christian Kurtsiefer. Free-space quantum key distribution with entangled photons. Appl. Phys.
Lett., 89 101122, (2006)

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