Title

Dynamic optical interconnects for quantum secure distributed nodes and quantum processing

Authors

George Kanellos; Obada Alia; Emilio Hugues-Salas; Rodrigo Stange Tessinari; Rui Wang; Reza Nejabati; Dimitra Simeonidou

Abstract

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has emerged as the technology to offer ultimate security, posing additional challenges in the physical layer due to its single-photon nature. Co-existence with classical data and switching aspects are discussed in dynamic-QKD applications for inter- data-centre communications and switched entanglement-based quantum distribution.

Venue

2020 IEEE Photonics Conference (IPC)

Place and Date

Virtual Conference, 28 September – 1 October 2020

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Title

True Random Number Generation in an Optical I/Q Modulator

Authors

Dinka Milovančev, Nemanja Vokić, Christoph Pacher, Hannes Hübel, and Bernhard Schrenk.

Abstract

We re-use a polarization-multiplexed I/Q modulator to acquire the quantum randomness of its seed laser light for the purpose of quantum random number generation. We obtain 9×10^{^4} 256-bit AES keys/second after randomness extraction. Time-interleaved random number generation is demonstrated for PM-QPSK transmission.

Venue

European Conference on Optical Communicatios – ECOC 2020

Place and Date

6 – 10 Dec. 2020, hosted in Belgium, but 100% virtual

Title

Towards Integrating True Random Number Generation in Coherent Optical Transceivers

Authors

Dinka Milovančev, Nemanja Vokić, Christoph Pacher, Imran Khan, Christoph Marquardt, Winfried Boxleitner, Hannes Hübel, and Bernhard Schrenk.

Abstract

The integration of quantum communication functions often requires dedicated opto-electronic components that do not bode well with the technology roadmaps of telecom systems. We investigate the capability of commercial coherent transceiver sub-systems to support quantum random number generation next to classical data transmission, and demonstrate how the quantum entropy source based on vacuum fluctuations can be potentially converted into a true random number generator for this purpose. We discuss two possible implementations, building on a receiver- and a transmitter-centric architecture. In the first scheme, balanced homodyne broadband detection in a coherent intradyne receiver is exploited to measure the vacuum state at the input of a 90-degree hybrid. In our proof-ofprinciple demonstration, a clearance of >2 dB between optical and electrical noise is obtained over a wide bandwidth of more than 11 GHz. In the second scheme, we propose and evaluate the re-use of monitoring photodiodes of a polarization-multiplexed inphase/quadrature modulator for the same purpose. Time-interleaved random number generation is demonstrated for 10 Gbaud polarizationmultiplexed quadrature phase shift keyed data transmission. The availability of detailed models will allow to calculate the extractable entropy and we accordingly show randomness extraction for our two proof-of-principle experiments, employing a two-universal strong extractor.

Venue

IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics (JSTQE), vol. 26, no. 5, p. 6400608, Sep. 2020

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Title

On the QKD Integration in Converged Fiber/Wireless Topologies for Secured, Low-Latency 5G/B5G Fronthaul

Authors

Zavitsanos, D., Ntanos A., Giannoulis, G., & Avramopoulos, H.

Abstract

A research contribution focusing on the Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)-enabled solutions assisting in the security framework of an optical 5G fronthaul segment is presented. We thoroughly investigate the integration of a BB84-QKD link, operating at telecom band, delivering quantum keys for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)-256 encryption engines of a packetized fronthaul layer interconnecting multiple 5G terminal nodes. Secure Key Rate calculations are studied for both dedicated and shared fiber configurations to identify the attack surface of AES-encrypted data links in each deployment scenario. We also propose a converged fiber-wireless scenario, exploiting a mesh networking extension operated by mmWave wireless links. In addition to the quantum layer performance, emphasis is placed on the strict requirements of 5G-oriented optical edge segments, such as the latency and the availability of quantum keys. We find that for the dark fiber case, secret keys can be distilled at fiber lengths much longer than the maximum fiber fronthaul distance corresponding to the round-trip latency barrier, for both P2P and P2MP topologies. On the contrary, the inelastic Raman scattering makes the simultaneous transmission of quantum and classical signals much more challenging. To counteract the contamination of noise photons, a resilient classical/QKD coexistence scheme is adopted. Motivated by the recent advancements in quantum technology roadmap, our analysis aims to introduce the QKD blocks as a pillar of the quantum-safe security framework of the 5G/B5G-oriented fronthaul infrastructure.

Venue

Applied Sciences Journal, Volume 10, Issue 15, July 2020

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Title

Adding Artificial Noise for Dynamic Code Rate Matching in Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution

Authors

S. Kreinberg, I. Koltchanov, A. Richter

Abstract

CV-QKD over long distances requires high reconciliation efficiencies, hence matching error correction code rate vs. SNR. For time-varying quantum channels, we achieve this by adding a controlled amount of digital noise to the measured data.

Venue

CLEO 2020

Place and Date

All-virtual, web conference format 11 – 15 May 2020

Title

Modelling Weak-Coherent QKD Systems Using a Classical Simulation Framework

Authors

S. Kreinberg, P. Novik, I. Koltchanov, A. Richter

Abstract

We demonstrate how an existing simulation framework for modelling classical optical systems can be utilized for simulations of weak-coherent QKD links.

Venue

CLEO 2020

Place and Date

All-virtual, web conference format 11 – 15 May 2020