Simultaneous transmission of information and key exchange using the same photonic quantum states
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Quantum communication realizes information-theoretic security using photonic quantum states, for example, quantum secure direct communication (QSDC), which can achieve secure and reliable communication in a channel with both noise and eavesdroppers. However, QSDC suffers from large losses and short communication distances, thus being impractical for applications. Here, we have proposed a one-way quasi-QSDC protocol with single photons. This protocol enables the simultaneous transmission of information and key exchange using the same single photons and is robust against loss and error because it uses error correction and spectrum expansion techniques. In a proof-of-principle demonstration using weak coherent pulses, the system achieved a real-time secure transmission rate of 2.38 kilobits per second over a 104.8-kilometer standard telecommunication fiber, which set world records in both aspects. This system paved the way for the practical application of QSDC and offers a unique method to detect eavesdropping online, which is crucial in certain circumstances.
Source: Science Advances
Authors: Dong Pan, Yu-Chen Liu, Penghao Niu, Haoran Zhang, Feihao Zhang, Min Wang, Xiao-Tian Song, Xiuwei Chen, Chao Zheng, Gui-Lu Long
Institutions: Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Quantum Physics, Tsinghua University, North China University of Technology, Beijing National Research Center for Information Science and Technology, Frontier Science Center for Quantum Information of the Ministry of Education of China
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Award: G3036371561
OpenAlex ID: W4407802724