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Continuous operation of a one-way quantum key distribution system over installed telecom fibre

Z. L. Yuan·A. J. Shields
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Abstract

We demonstrate a robust, compact and automated quantum key distribution system, based upon a one-way Mach-Zender interferometer, which is actively compensated for temporal drifts in the photon phase and polarization. The system gives a superior performance to passive compensation schemes with an average quantum bit error rate of 0.87% and a duty cycle of 99.6% for a continuous quantum key distribution session of 19 hours over a 20.3km installed telecom fibre. The results suggest that actively compensated QKD systems are suitable for practical applications.

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Z. L. Yuan, A. J. Shields. 2005-02-15. Continuous operation of a one-way quantum key distribution system over installed telecom fibre. https://doi.org/10.1364/opex.13.000660

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