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arXiv · 2302.14012

Experimental demonstration of drone-based quantum key distribution

Xiao-Hui Tian·Ran Yang·Hua-Ying Liu·Pengfei Fan·Ji-Ning Zhang·Changsheng Gu·Mengwen Chen·Mingzhe Hu·Feng-Yu Lu·Zhen-Qiang Yin·Zhi-Jun Yin·Mo Yuan·Shuang Wang·Wei Chen·Yan-Xiao Gong·Shi-Ning Zhu·Zhenda Xie
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Abstract

Quantum state transferring has been demonstrated using drones via entanglement distribution. Here we demonstrate the first drone-based quantum task, for quantum key distribution (QKD). Compact and polarization-maintaining acquisition, pointing, and tracking system and QKD modules are developed and loaded on a home-made octocopter, within takeoff weight of 30 kg. Real-time QKD is performed over 200 m distance with 8.48 kHz average secret key rate, using polarization-coded decoy-state BB84 protocol. With the capability of secret key distribution using a drone, wireless communication can be expected with enhanced security in the quantum approach, between mobile nodes towards a network.

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Xiao-Hui Tian, Ran Yang, Hua-Ying Liu, Pengfei Fan, Ji-Ning Zhang, Changsheng Gu, Mengwen Chen, Mingzhe Hu, Feng-Yu Lu, Zhen-Qiang Yin, Zhi-Jun Yin, Mo Yuan, Shuang Wang, Wei Chen, Yan-Xiao Gong, Shi-Ning Zhu, Zhenda Xie. 2023-02-27. Experimental demonstration of drone-based quantum key distribution. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.133.200801

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