Research and Development

Theme

To establish Secure Photonic Network based on the QKD technology, the basic performance enhancement and stability improvement of the QKD system are necessary. In addition, to enlarge application areas of Secure Photonic Network, an interfacing function for secure keys shared among multiple user terminals should be developed. To this end, we pursue the following four subthemes.

Subtheme 1: Stabilization technique
For a stable secure key generation, the system should be stable or automatically recoverable against the environmental fluctuations, such as ambient temperature changes or instability of electric power supply. Adequate supervisory control and secure active feedback schemes will be established.
Subtheme 2: Enhancing application platform
The secure keys shared by QKD should be securely supplied to application platforms.
Subtheme 3: Next generation quantum key distribution system technology
Higher key generation rate will be achieved by multiplexing quantum channels, by using higher performance error correction and photon detection technologies. System downsizing will also be achieved by optimizing circuitry design and functions of QKD system.
Subtheme 4: Long-term operational testing
Using stabilized QKD system developed through subtheme 1, long-term key generation will be tested under practical conditions for quality guarantee of the QKD network. Data monitoring system on the web will be developed, and part of transmission performance with environmental parameters will also be available soon.
Four subthemes QKD technology for mission critical applications.

Fig. 1Four subthemes QKD technology for mission critical applications.

In May 2013 maintenance-free quantum key distribution for 30 days with QBER < 2.0% was achieved through a filed fiber (22 km distance, 13 dB loss) and we applied the system to NICT Tokyo QKD Network. Based on above established technologies, we develop compact demo systems. This system can be offered trial use to a customer to get some feedbacks other than applied to Tokyo QKD Network as a redundant link.

Interim results

Interim results for Team 157A-T03

Task title Outcome Date Note
1: Stabilization technique Maintenance-free quantum key distribution for 30 days with QBER < 2.0% was achieved through a filed fiber (22 km, 13 dB). May 2013 IEICE Society Conf. 2013
2: Enhancing application platform An application platform architecture was proposed.
Based on above architecture, Key supply agent was developed in team 157D-T01.
Mar. 2013  
3: Next generation quantum key distribution system technology Photon detector packages of 3-slot size (ATCA) were developed. Using these detector packages field experiments were carried out and good performances (secure key rate >62.5 kbps and QBER < 3.0%) were confirmed. May 2013 Smaller size (2-slot) detector package is under development.
4: Long-term operational testing 5-times (1 day, 5 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 1 month) field experiments were carried out. May 2013 OECC2012
Performance monitoring system on the web was developed. Sep. 2013 CLEO-PR2013
Interim results for Team 157A-T03

Fig. 2Interim results for Team 157A-T03

Targets

Targets for Team 157A-T03

Task title Work/Milestone Due Date Note
1: Stabilization Technique Establish stabilization technique of WDM QKD system. The performance targets are 125 kbps secure key rate, QBER < 3.0 % at 13 dB loss (2λ). Mar. 2014  
2: Enhancing Application Platform Outcome was transferred to team 157D-T01.
Redefine this task as activities in team 157D-T01.
N/D  
3: Next Generation Quantum Key Distribution System Technology Complete smaller size photon detector packages (ATCA 2-slot size).
Develop compact demo system (1λ) using the smaller photon detector packages.
Mar. 2014  
4: Long-term Operational Testing Repeat long-term key generation experiment with additional compact demo system. Mar. 2015  

Schedule

schedule

Chart 1Schedule for Team 157A-T03