INRIM contributions to metrology and standardisation for Quantum Key Distribution
Year: 2026
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is moving from laboratory prototypes to deployed infrastructures and commercial systems, increasing the need for traceable, interoperable measurement frameworks that support reliable specifications, validation and certification. Although QKD security is grounded in physics, practical implementations rely on non-ideal optical components, especially sources and detectors, whose real behaviour can introduce implementation loopholes; rigorous metrological characterisation is therefore essential to connect device parameters to security assumptions. This contribution focuses on INRIM’s role within the European metrology effort developed in the EMRP and EMPIR programmes (MIQC and MIQC2), presenting activities on traceable measurements of photon-counting components in the telecom regime around 1.55 micrometres, targeting security-relevant parameters such as detection efficiency, timing and noise processes. We also discuss INRIM’s involvement in inter-laboratory pilot comparisons for single-photon sources and detectors to ensure calibration consistency across National Metrology Institutes, and its contributions to implementation-security assessment through component-level testing. Finally, we outline INRIM participation in ETSI ISG-QKD standardisation, where metrology-based specifications for component characterisation and validation are key steps toward scalable and trustworthy QKD networks.
Author: Salvatore Virzì
Institution: Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7215102014