arXiv subjects

L. C. Comandar

Publications and source records attributed to L. C. Comandar.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2017

Experimental measurement-device-independent quantum digital signatures

We propose and experimentally implement a novel reconfigurable quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme, where the users can switch in real time between conventional QKD and the recently-introduced measurement-device-independent (MDI) QKD. Through this setup, we demonstrate the distribution of quantum keys between three remote parties connected by only two quantum channels, a previously unattempted task. Moreover, as a prominent application, we extract the first quantum digital signature (QDS) rates from a network that uses a measurement-device-independent link. In so doing, we introduce an efficient protocol to distil multiple signatures from the same block of data, thus reducing the statistical fluctuations in the sample and increasing the final QDS rate.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Near perfect mode overlap between independently seeded, gain-switched lasers

We drastically improve the mode overlap between independently seeded, gain-switched laser diodes operating at gigahertz repetition rates by implementing a pulsed light seeding technique. Injecting pulsed light reduces the emission time jitter and enables frequency chirp synchronization while maintaining random optical phases of the emitted laser pulses. We measure interference of these pulsed sources both in the macroscopic regime, where we demonstrate near perfect mode overlap, and in the single photon regime, where we achieve a Hong-Ou-Mandel dip visibility of 0.499+/-0.004, thus saturating the theoretical limit of 0.5. The measurement results are reproduced by Monte-Carlo simulations with no free parameters. Our light source is an ideal solution for generation of high rate, indistinguishable coherent pulses for quantum information applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Quantum cryptography without detector vulnerabilities using optically-seeded lasers

Security in quantum cryptography is continuously challenged by inventive attacks targeting the real components of a cryptographic setup, and duly restored by new counter-measures to foil them. Due to their high sensitivity and complex design, detectors are the most frequently attacked components. Recently it was shown that two-photon interference from independent light sources can be exploited to avoid the use of detectors at the two ends of the communication channel. This new form of detection-safe quantum cryptography, called Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD), has been experimentally demonstrated, but with modest delivered key rates. Here we introduce a novel pulsed laser seeding technique to obtain high-visibility interference from gain-switched lasers and thereby perform quantum cryptography without detector vulnerabilities with unprecedented bit rates, in excess of 1 Mb/s. This represents a 2 to 6 orders of magnitude improvement over existing implementations and for the first time promotes the new scheme as a practical resource for quantum secure communications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Room temperature single-photon detectors for high bit rate quantum key distribution

We report room temperature operation of telecom wavelength single-photon detectors for high bit rate quantum key distribution (QKD). Room temperature operation is achieved using InGaAs avalanche photodiodes integrated with electronics based on the self-differencing technique that increases avalanche discrimination sensitivity. Despite using room temperature detectors, we demonstrate QKD with record secure bit rates over a range of fiber lengths (e.g. 1.26 Mbit/s over 50 km). Furthermore, our results indicate that operating the detectors at room temperature increases the secure bit rate for short distances.

quant-ph↗