arXiv subjects

Feihu Xu

Publications and source records attributed to Feihu Xu.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Device-independent quantum key distribution with random postselection

Device-independent quantum key distribution (QKD) can permit the superior security even with unknown devices. In practice, however, the realization of device-independent QKD is technically challenging because of its low noise tolerance. In photonic setup, due to the limited detection efficiency, a large amount of the data generates from no-detection events which contain little correlations but contribute high errors. Here we propose the device-independent QKD protocol with random post selection, where the secret keys are extracted only from the post-selected subset of outcomes. This could not open the detection loophole as long as the entropy of the post-selected subset is evaluated from the information of the entire set of data, including both detection and no-detection events. This post selection has the advantage to significantly reduce the error events, thus relaxing the threshold of required detection efficiency. In the model of collective attacks, our protocol can tolerate detector efficiency as low as 68.5%, which goes beyond standard security proofs. The results make a concrete step for the implementation of device-independent QKD in practice.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Photonic verification of device-independent quantum key distribution against collective attacks

In this paper, we employ theoretical and experimental efforts and realize a proof-of-principle verification of device-independent QKD based on the photonic setup. On the theoretical side, we enhance the loss tolerance for real device imperfections by combining different approaches, namely, random post-selection, noisy preprocessing, and developed numerical methods to estimate the key rate via the von Neumann entropy. On the experimental side, we develop a high-quality polarization-entangled photon source achieving a state-of-the-art (heralded) detection efficiency about 87.5%. This efficiency outperforms previous photonic experiments involving loophole-free Bell tests. Together, we show that the measured quantum correlations are strong enough to ensure a positive key rate under the fiber length up to 220 m. Our photonic platform can generate entangled photons at a high rate and in the telecom wavelength, which is desirable for high-speed generation over long distances. The results present an important step towards a full demonstration of photonic device-independent QKD.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Non-line-of-sight imaging with picosecond temporal resolution

Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging enables monitoring around corners and is promising for diverse applications. The resolution of transient NLOS imaging is limited to a centimeter scale, mainly by the temporal resolution of the detectors. Here, we construct an up-conversion single-photon detector with a high temporal resolution of ~1.4 ps and a low noise count rate of 5 counts per second (cps). Notably, the detector operates at room temperature, near-infrared wavelength. Using this detector, we demonstrate high-resolution and low-noise NLOS imaging. Our system can provide a 180 μm axial resolution and a 2 mm lateral resolution, which is more than one order of magnitude better than that in previous experiments. These results open avenues for high-resolution NLOS imaging techniques in relevant applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

Measurement-Device-Independent Verification of a Quantum Memory

In this paper we report an experiment that verifies an atomic-ensemble quantum memory via a measurement-device-independent scheme. A single photon generated via Rydberg blockade in one atomic ensemble is stored in another atomic ensemble via electromagnetically induced transparency. After storage for a long duration, this photon is retrieved and interfered with a second photon to perform joint Bell-state measurement (BSM). Quantum state for each photon is chosen based on a quantum random number generator respectively in each run. By evaluating correlations between the random states and BSM results, we certify that our memory is genuinely entanglement-preserving.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Security analysis of quantum key distribution with small block length and its application to quantum space communications

The security of real-world quantum key distribution (QKD) critically depends on the number of data points the system can collect in a fixed time interval. To date, state-of-the-art finite-key security analyses require block lengths in the order of 1E4 bits to obtain positive secret keys. This requirement, however, can be very difficult to achieve in practice, especially in the case of entanglement-based satellite QKD systems, where the overall channel loss can go up to 70 dB or more. Here, we provide an improved finite-key security analysis which can reduce the block length requirement by 14% to 17% for standard channel and protocol settings. In practical terms, this reduction could save entanglement-based satellite QKD weeks of measurement time and resources, thereby bringing space-based QKD technology closer to reality. As an application, we use the improved analysis to show that the recently reported Micius QKD satellite is capable of generating positive secret keys with a $1E-5$ security level.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Single-photon imaging over 200 km

Long-range active imaging has widespread applications in remote sensing and target recognition. Single-photon light detection and ranging (lidar) has been shown to have high sensitivity and temporal resolution. On the application front, however, the operating range of practical single-photon lidar systems is limited to about tens of kilometers over the Earth's atmosphere, mainly due to the weak echo signal mixed with high background noise. Here, we present a compact coaxial single-photon lidar system capable of realizing 3D imaging at up to 201.5 km. It is achieved by using high-efficiency optical devices for collection and detection, and what we believe is a new noise-suppression technique that is efficient for long-range applications. We show that photon-efficient computational algorithms enable accurate 3D imaging over hundreds of kilometers with as few as 0.44 signal photons per pixel. The results represent a significant step toward practical, low-power lidar over extra-long ranges.

eess.IV↗

arXiv2021

Distributed quantum phase estimation with entangled photons

Distributed quantum metrology can enhance the sensitivity for sensing spatially distributed parameters beyond the classical limits. Here we demonstrate distributed quantum phase estimation with discrete variables to achieve Heisenberg limit phase measurements. Based on parallel entanglement in modes and particles, we demonstrate distributed quantum sensing for both individual phase shifts and an averaged phase shift, with an error reduction up to 1.4 dB and 2.7 dB below the shot-noise limit. Furthermore, we demonstrate a combined strategy with parallel mode entanglement and multiple passes of the phase shifter in each mode. In particular, our experiment uses six entangled photons with each photon passing the phase shifter up to six times, and achieves a total number of photon passes N=21 at an error reduction up to 4.7 dB below the shot-noise limit. Our research provides a faithful verification of the benefit of entanglement and coherence for distributed quantum sensing in general quantum networks.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Verification of a resetting protocol for an uncontrolled superconducting qubit

Quantum resetting protocols allow a quantum system to be sent to a state in the past by making it interact with quantum probes when neither the free evolution of the system nor the interaction is controlled. We experimentally verify the simplest non-trivial case of a quantum resetting protocol, known as the $\mathcal{W}_4$ protocol, with five superconducting qubits, testing it with different types of free evolutions and target-probe interactions. After projection, we obtained a reset state fidelity as high as $0.951$, and the process fidelity was found to be $0.792$. We also implemented 100 randomly-chosen interactions and demonstrated an average success probability of $0.323$ for $|1\rangle$ and $0.292$ for $|-\rangle$, experimentally confirmed the nonzero probability of success for unknown interactions; the numerical simulated values are about $0.3$. Our experiment shows that the simplest quantum resetting protocol can be implemented with current technologies, making such protocols a valuable tool in the eternal fight against unwanted evolution in quantum systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Field demonstration of distributed quantum sensing without post-selection

Distributed quantum sensing can provide quantum-enhanced sensitivity beyond the shot-noise limit (SNL) for sensing spatially distributed parameters. To date, distributed quantum sensing experiments have been mostly accomplished in laboratory environments without a real space separation for the sensors. In addition, the post-selection is normally assumed to demonstrate the sensitivity advantage over the SNL. Here, we demonstrate distributed quantum sensing in field and show the unconditional violation (without post-selection) of SNL up to 0.916 dB for the field distance of 240 m. The achievement is based on a loophole free Bell test setup with entangled photon pairs at the averaged heralding efficiency of 73.88%. Moreover, to test quantum sensing in real life, we demonstrate the experiment for long distances (with 10-km fiber) together with the sensing of a completely random and unknown parameter. The results represent an important step towards a practical quantum sensing network for widespread applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Open-destination measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution network

Quantum key distribution (QKD) networks hold promise for sharing secure randomness over multi-partities. Most existing QKD network schemes and demonstrations are based on trusted relays or limited to point-to-point scenario. Here, we propose a flexible and extensible scheme named as open-destination measurement-device-independent QKD network. The scheme enjoys security against untrusted relays and all detector side-channel attacks. Particularly, any users can accomplish key distribution under assistance of others in the network. As an illustration, we show in detail a four-user network where two users establish secure communication and present realistic simulations by taking into account imperfections of both sources and detectors.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Experimental quantum key distribution secure against malicious devices

The fabrication of quantum key distribution (QKD) systems typically involves several parties, thus providing Eve with multiple opportunities to meddle with the devices. As a consequence, conventional hardware and/or software hacking attacks pose natural threats to the security of practical QKD. Fortunately, if the number of corrupted devices is limited, the security can be restored by using redundant apparatuses. Here, we report on the demonstration of a secure QKD setup with optical devices and classical post-processing units possibly controlled by an eavesdropper. We implement a 1.25 GHz chip-based measurement-device-independent QKD system secure against malicious devices on \emph{both} the measurement and the users' sides. The secret key rate reaches 137 bps over a 24 dB channel loss. Our setup, benefiting from high clock rate, miniaturized transmitters and a cost-effective structure, provides a promising solution for widespread applications requiring uncompromising communication security.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Towards satellite-based quantum-secure time transfer

High-precision time synchronization for remote clocks plays an important role in fundamental science and real-life applications. However, the current time synchronization techniques have been shown to be vulnerable to sophisticated adversaries. There is a compelling need for fundamentally new methods to distribute high-precision time information securely. Here we propose a satellite-based quantum-secure time transfer (QSTT) scheme based on two-way quantum key distribution (QKD) in free-space, and experimentally verify the key technologies of the scheme via the Micius quantum satellite. In QSTT, a quantum signal (e.g., single photon) is used as the carrier for both the time transfer and the secret-key generation, offering quantum-enhanced security for transferring time signal and time information. We perform a satellite-to-ground time synchronization using single-photon-level signals and achieve a quantum bit error rate of less than 1%, a time data rate of 9 kHz and a time-transfer precision of 30 ps. These results offer possibilities towards an enhanced infrastructure of time-transfer network, whose security stems from quantum physics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Efficient experimental quantum fingerprinting with wavelength division multiplexing

Quantum communication complexity studies the efficiency of information communication (that is, the minimum amount of communication required to achieve a certain task) using quantum states. One representative example is quantum fingerprinting, in which the simultaneous message passing model is considered and the minimum amount of communication could be exponentially smaller than the classical fingerprinting protocol. Experimental demonstrations based on a practical quantum fingerprinting protocol where coherent states are used to construct the fingerprints, have successfully shown the superiority of quantum fingerprinting. However, as a consequence of using coherent states, the communication time in this coherent quantum fingerprinting (CQF) protocol is increased. Moreover, the minimum amount of information communicated in these experimental demonstrations is largely limited by the dark counts of the single photon detectors. Here, we propose to enhance the performance of the existing CQF protocol through applying wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and simultaneous detection of multiple wavelength channels. We show that the new WDM-CQF protocol can potentially reduce the communication time significantly. More importantly, with the same experimental parameters, the amount of communication is much reduced in the new scheme compared with the original CQF protocol. The more wavelength channels are used, the less communication is required by WDM-CQF protocol. We also perform a proof-of-concept experimental demonstration of the new WDM-CQF protocol with 6 wavelength channels. The experimental results further validate that the new scheme with WDM not only beats the classical protocol, but also reduces the amount of communication required by the original CQF protocol by more than half.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Secure quantum key distribution with realistic devices

In principle, quantum key distribution (QKD) offers information-theoretic security based on the laws of physics. In practice, however, the imperfections of realistic devices might introduce deviations from the idealized models used in security analyses. Can quantum code-breakers successfully hack real systems by exploiting the side channels? Can quantum code-makers design innovative counter-measures to foil quantum code-breakers? This article reviews theoretical and experimental progress in the practical security aspects of quantum code-making and quantum code-breaking. After numerous attempts, researchers now thoroughly understand and are able to manage the practical imperfections. Recent advances, such as the measurement-device-independent protocol, have closed the critical side channels in the physical implementations, paving the way for secure QKD with realistic devices.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Super-resolution single-photon imaging at 8.2 kilometers

Single-photon light detection and ranging (LiDAR), offering single-photon sensitivity and picosecond time resolution, has been widely adopted for active imaging applications. Long-range active imaging is a great challenge, because the spatial resolution degrades significantly with the imaging range due to the diffraction limit of the optics, and only weak echo signal photons can return but mixed with a strong background noise. Here we propose and demonstrate a photon-efficient LiDAR approach that can achieve sub-Rayleigh resolution imaging over long ranges. This approach exploits fine sub-pixel scanning and a deconvolution algorithm tailored to this long-range application. Using this approach, we experimentally demonstrated active three-dimensional (3D) single-photon imaging by recognizing different postures of a mannequin model at a stand-off distance of 8.2 km in both daylight and night. The observed spatial (transversal) resolution is about 5.5 cm at 8.2 km, which is about twice of the system's resolution. This also beats the optical system's Rayleigh criterion. The results are valuable for geosciences and target recognition over long ranges.

eess.IV↗

arXiv2019

Photonic realization of quantum resetting

Contrary to the usual assumption of at least partial control of quantum dynamics, a surprising recent result proved that an arbitrary quantum state can be probabilistically reset to a state in the past by having it interact with probing systems in a consistent, but $uncontrolled$ way. We present a photonic implementation to achieve this resetting process, experimentally verifying that a state can be probabilistically reset to its past with a fidelity of $0.870\pm0.012$. We further demonstrate the preservation of an entangled state, which still violates a Bell inequality, after half of the entangled pair was reset. The ability to reset uncontrolled quantum states has implications in the foundations of quantum physics and applications in areas of quantum technology.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

High-speed measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution with integrated silicon photonics

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) removes all detector side channels and enables secure QKD with an untrusted relay. It is suitable for building a star-type quantum access network, where the complicated and expensive measurement devices are placed in the central untrusted relay and each user requires only a low-cost transmitter, such as an integrated photonic chip. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a 1.25 GHz silicon photonic chip-based MDI-QKD system using polarization encoding. The photonic chip transmitters integrate the necessary encoding components for a standard QKD source. We implement random modulations of polarization states and decoy intensities, and demonstrate a finite-key secret rate of 31 bps over 36 dB channel loss (or 180 km standard fiber). This key rate is higher than state-of-the-art MDI-QKD experiments. The results show that silicon photonic chip-based MDI-QKD, benefiting from miniaturization, low-cost manufacture and compatibility with CMOS microelectronics, is a promising solution for future quantum secure networks.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Prefixed-threshold Real-Time Selection for Free-Space Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution

Measurement-Device-Independent (MDI) QKD eliminates detector side channels in QKD and allows an untrusted relay between two users. A desirable yet highly challenging application is to implement MDI-QKD through free-space channels. One of the major factors that affect the secure key rate in free-space MDI-QKD is atmospheric turbulence. In this work we show two important results: First, the independent fluctuations of transmittances in the two channels can significantly reduce MDI-QKD performance due to turbulence-induced channel asymmetry. Second, we consider the Prefixed Real-Time Selection (P-RTS) method we formerly introduced to BB84 and extend it to MDI-QKD. Users can monitor classical transmittances in their channels and improve performance by post-selecting signals in real-time based on pre-calculated thresholds. We show that we can establish a 2-dimensional threshold between Alice and Bob to post-select signals with both high signal-to-noise ratio and low channel asymmetry in real time, and greatly extend the maximum range of MDI-QKD in the presence of turbulence, which can be an important step towards future free-space MDI-QKD experiments.

quant-ph↗