arXiv subjects

Lixing You

Publications and source records attributed to Lixing You.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Fully connected entanglement-based quantum communication network without trusted node

Quantum communication is developed owing to the theoretically proven security of quantum mechanics, which may become the main technique in future information security. However, most studies and implementations are limited to two or several parties. Herein, we propose a fully connected quantum communication network without a trusted node for a large number of users. Using flexible wavelength demultiplex/multiplex and space multiplex technologies, 40 users are fully connected simultaneously without a trusted node by a broadband energy-time entangled photon pair source. This network architecture may be widely deployed in real scenarios such as companies, schools, and communities owing to its simplicity, scalability, and high efficiency.

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

Detecting single infrared photons toward optimal system detection efficiency

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) with near-unity system efficiency is a key enabling, but still elusive technology for numerous quantum fundamental theory verifications and quantum information applications. The key challenge is to have both a near-unity photon-response probability and absorption efficiency simultaneously for the meandered nanowire with a finite filling ratio, which is more crucial for NbN than other superconducting materials (e.g., WSi) with lower transition temperatures. Here, we overcome the above challenge and produce NbN SNSPDs with a record system efficiency by replacing a single-layer nanowire with twin-layer nanowires on a dielectric mirror. The detector at 0.8 K shows a maximal system detection efficiency (SDE) of 98% at 1590 nm and a system efficiency of over 95% in the wavelength range of 1530-1630 nm. Moreover, the detector at 2.1K demonstrates a maximal SDE of 95% at 1550 nm using a compacted two-stage cryocooler. This type of detector also shows the robustness against various parameters, such as the geometrical size of the nanowire, and the spectral bandwidth, enabling a high yield of 73% (36%) with an SDE of >80% (90%) at 2.1K for 45 detectors fabricated in the same run. These SNSPDs made of twin-layer nanowires are of important practical significance for batch production.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Long-distance free-space measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD), based on two-photon interference, is immune to all attacks against the detection system and allows a QKD network with untrusted relays. Since the MDI-QKD protocol was proposed, fibre-based implementations have been rapidly developed towards longer distance, higher key rates, and network verification. However, owing to the effect of atmospheric turbulence, MDI-QKD over free-space channel remains experimentally challenging. Here, by developing the robust adaptive optics system, high precision time synchronization and frequency locking between independent photon sources located far apart, we realised the first free-space MDI-QKD over a 19.2-km urban atmospheric channel, which well exceeds the effective atmospheric thickness. Our experiment takes the first step towards satellite-based MDI-QKD. Moreover, the technology developed here opens the way to quantum experiments in free space involving long-distance interference of independent single photons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors for Quantum Information

The superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) is a quantum-limit superconducting optical detector based on the Cooper-pair breaking effect by a single photon, which exhibits a higher detection efficiency, lower dark count rate, higher counting rate, and lower timing jitter when compared with those exhibited by its counterparts. SNSPDs have been extensively applied in quantum information processing, including quantum key distribution and optical quantum computation. In this review, we present the requirements of single-photon detectors from quantum information, as well as the principle, key metrics, latest performance issues and other issues associated with SNSPD. The representative applications of SNSPDs with respect to quantum information will also be covered.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

An entanglement-based quantum network based on symmetric dispersive optics quantum key distribution

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a crucial technology for information security in the future. Developing simple and efficient ways to establish QKD among multiple users are important to extend the applications of QKD in communication networks. Herein, we proposed a scheme of symmetric dispersive optics QKD (DO-QKD) and demonstrated an entanglement-based quantum network based on it. In the experiment, a broadband entanglement photon pair source was shared by end users via wavelength and space division multiplexing. The wide spectrum of generated entangled photon pairs was divided into 16 combinations of frequency-conjugate channels. Photon pairs in each channel combination supported a fully-connected subnet with 8 users by a passive beam splitter. Eventually, it showed that an entanglement-based QKD network over 100 users could be supported by one entangled photon pair source in this architecture. It has great potential on applications of local quantum networks with large user number.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

An Experimentally Verified Approach to non-Entanglement-Breaking Channel Certification

Ensuring the non-entanglement-breaking (non-EB) property of quantum channels is crucial for the effective distribution and storage of quantum states. However, a practical method for direct and accurate certification of the non-EB feature is highly desirable. Here, we propose and verify a realistic source based measurement device independent certification of non-EB channels. Our method is resilient to repercussions on the certification from experimental conditions, such as multiphotons and imperfect state preparation, and can be implemented with information incomplete set. We achieve good agreement between experimental outcomes and theoretical predictions, which is validated by the expected results of the ideal semi-quantum signaling game, and accurately certify the non-EB channels. Furthermore, our approach is highly robust to effects from noise. Therefore, the proposed approach can be expected to play a significant role in the design and evaluation of realistic quantum channels.

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

Dispersion independent long-haul photon counting OTDR

Photon counting optical time-domain reflectometry (PC-OTDR) based on the single photon detection is an effective scheme to attain the high spatial resolution for optical fiber fault monitoring. Currently, due to the spatial resolution of PC-OTDR is proportional to the pulse width of a laser beam, short laser pulses are essential for the high spatial resolution. However, short laser pulses have a large bandwidth, which would be widened by the dispersion of fiber, thereby causing inevitable deterioration in spatial resolution, especially for long-haul fiber links. In this letter, we propose a scheme of dispersion independent PC-OTDR based on an infinite backscatter technique. Our experimental results -with more than 50 km long fiber - show that the spatial resolution of the PC-OTDR system is independent with the total dispersion of the fiber under test. Our method provides an avenue for developing the long-haul PC-OTDR with high performance.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Sending-or-Not-Sending with Independent Lasers: Secure Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution Over 509 km

Twin field quantum key distribution promises high key rates at long distance to beat the rate distance limit. Here, applying the sending or not sending TF QKD protocol, we experimentally demonstrate a secure key distribution breaking the absolute key rate limit of repeaterless QKD over 509 km, 408 km ultra-low loss optical fibre and 350 km standard optical fibre. Two independent lasers are used as the source with remote frequency locking technique over 500 km fiber distance; Practical optical fibers are used as the optical path with appropriate noise filtering; And finite key effects are considered in the key rate analysis. The secure key rates obtained at different distances are more than 5 times higher than the conditional limit of repeaterless QKD, a bound value assuming the same detection loss in the comparison. The achieved secure key rate is also higher than that a traditional QKD protocol running with a perfect repeaterless QKD device and even if an infinite number of sent pulses. Our result shows that the protocol and technologies applied in this experiment enable TF QKD to achieve high secure key rate at long distribution distance, and hence practically useful for field implementation of intercity QKD.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Nonlocality test of energy-time entanglement via nonlocal dispersion cancellation with nonlocal detection

Energy-time entangled biphoton source plays a great role in quantum communication, quantum metrology and quantum cryptography due to its strong temporal correlation and capability of nonlocal dispersion cancellation. As a quantum effect, nonlocal dispersion cancellation is further proposed as an alternative way for nonlocality test of continuous variable entanglement via the violation of Bell-like inequality proposed by Wasak et al. [Phys. Rev. A, 82, 052120 (2010)]. However, to date there is no experimental report either on the inequality violation or on a nonlocal detection with single-photon detectors at long-distance transmission channel, which is key for a true nonlocality test. In this paper, we report an experimental realization of a violation of the inequality after 62km optical fiber transmission at telecom wavelength with a nonlocal detection based on event timers and cross-correlation algorithm, which indicates a successful nonlocal test of energy-time entanglement. This work provides a new feasibility for the strict test of the nonlocality for continuous variables in both long-distance communication fiber channel and free space.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Experimental Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution Through Sending-or-Not-Sending

Channel loss seems to be the most severe limitation on the practical application of long distance quantum key distribution. The idea of twin-field quantum key distribution can improve the key rate from the linear scale of channel loss in the traditional decoy-state method to the square root scale of the channel transmittance. However, the technical demanding is rather tough because it requests single photon level interference of two remote independent lasers. Here, we adopt the technology developed in the frequency and time transfer to lock two independent lasers' wavelengths and utilize additional phase reference light to estimate and compensate the fiber fluctuation. Further with a single photon detector with high detection rate, we demonstrate twin field quantum key distribution through the sending-or-not-sending protocol with realistic phase drift over 300 km optical fiber spools. We calculate the secure key rates with finite size effect. The secure key rate at 300 km ($1.96\times10^{-6}$) is higher than that of the repeaterless secret key capacity ($8.64\times10^{-7}$).

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Remote blind state preparation with weak coherent pulses in the field

Quantum computing has seen tremendous progress in the past years. Due to the implementation complexity and cost, the future path of quantum computation is strongly believed to delegate computational tasks to powerful quantum servers on cloud. Universal blind quantum computing (UBQC) provides the protocol for the secure delegation of arbitrary quantum computations, and it has received significant attention. However, a great challenge in UBQC is how to transmit quantum state over long distance securely and reliably. Here, we solve this challenge by proposing and demonstrating a resource-efficient remote blind qubit preparation (RBQP) protocol with weak coherent pulses for the client to produce, using a compact and low-cost laser. We demonstrate the protocol in field, experimentally verifying the protocol over 100-km fiber. Our experiment uses a quantum teleportation setup in telecom wavelength and generates $1000$ secure qubits with an average fidelity of $(86.9\pm1.5)\%$, which exceeds the quantum no-cloning fidelity of equatorial qubit states. The results prove the feasibility of UBQC over long distances, and thus serving as a key milestone towards secure cloud quantum computing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Fiber-Optic quantum two-way time transfer with frequency entangled pulses

High-precision time transfer is of fundamental interest in physics and metrology. Quantum time transfer technologies that use frequency-entangled pulses and their coincidence detection have been proposed, offering potential enhancements in precision and better guarantees of security. In this paper, we describe a fiber-optic two-way quantum time transfer experiment. Using quantum nonlocal dispersion cancellation, time transfer over a 20-km fiber link achieves a time deviation of 922 fs over 5 s and 45 fs over 40960 s. The time transfer accuracy as a function of fiber lengths from 15 m to 20 km is also investigated, and an uncertainty of 2.46 ps in standard deviation is observed. In comparison with its classical counterparts, the fiber-optic two-way quantum time transfer setup shows appreciable improvement, and further enhancements could be obtained by using new event timers with sub-picosecond precision and single-photon detectors with lower timing jitter for optimized coincidence detection. Combined with its security advantages, the femtosecond-scale two-way quantum time transfer is expected to have numerous applications in high-precision middle-haul synchronization systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Surpassing the rate-transmittance linear bound of quantum key distribution

Quantum key distribution (QKD offers a long-term solution to establish information-theoretically secure keys between two distant users. In practice, with a careful characterization of quantum sources and the decoy-state method, measure-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) provides secure key distribution. While short-distance fibre-based QKD has already been available for real-life implementation, the bottleneck of practical QKD lies on the limited transmission distance. Due to photon losses in transmission, it was believed that the key generation rate is bounded by a linear function of the channel transmittance, $O(η)$, without a quantum repeater, which puts an upper bound on the maximal secure transmission distance. Interestingly, a new phase-encoding MDI-QKD scheme, named twin-field QKD, has been suggested to beat the linear bound, while another variant, named phase-matching quantum key distribution (PM-QKD), has been proven to have a quadratic key-rate improvement, $O(\sqrtη)$. In reality, however, the intrinsic optical mode mismatch of independent lasers, accompanied by phase fluctuation and drift, impedes the successful experimental implementation of the new schemes. Here, we solve this problem with the assistance of the laser injection technique and the phase post-compensation method. In the experiment, the key rate surpasses the linear key-rate bound via 302 km and 402 km commercial-fibre channels, achieving a key rate over 4 orders of magnitude higher than the existing results in literature. Furthermore, with a 502 km ultralow-loss fibre, our system yields a secret key rate of 0.118 bps. We expect this new type of QKD schemes to become a new standard for future QKD.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Experimental Gaussian Boson Sampling

Gaussian Boson sampling (GBS) provides a highly efficient approach to make use of squeezed states from parametric down-conversion to solve a classically hard-to-solve sampling problem. The GBS protocol not only significantly enhances the photon generation probability, compared to standard boson sampling with single photon Fock states, but also links to potential applications such as dense subgraph problems and molecular vibronic spectra. Here, we report the first experimental demonstration of GBS using squeezed-state sources with simultaneously high photon indistinguishability and collection efficiency. We implement and validate 3-, 4- and 5-photon GBS with high sampling rates of 832 kHz, 163 kHz and 23 kHz, respectively, which is more than 4.4, 12.0, and 29.5 times faster than the previous experiments. Further, we observe a quantum speed-up on a NP-hard optimization problem when comparing with simulated thermal sampler and uniform sampler.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Multi-bit quantum digital signature based on quantum temporal ghost imaging

Digital signature scheme is commonly employed in modern electronic commerce and quantum digital signature (QDS) offers the information-theoretical security by the laws of quantum mechanics against attackers with unreasonable computation resources. The focus of previous QDS was on the signature of 1-bit message. In contrast, based on quantum ghost imaging with security test, we propose a scheme of QDS in which a multi-bit message can be signed at a time. Our protocol is no more demanding than the traditional cases for the requirements of quantum resources and classical communications. The multi-bit protocol could simplify the procedure of QDS for long messages in practical applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Experimental demonstration of high-rate measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution over asymmetric channels

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) can eliminate all detector side channels and it is practical with current technology. Previous implementations of MDI-QKD all use two symmetric channels with similar losses. However, the secret key rate is severely limited when different channels have different losses. Here we report the results of the first high-rate MDI-QKD experiment over $asymmetric$ channels. By using the recent 7-intensity optimization approach, we demonstrate $>$10x higher key rate than previous best-known protocols for MDI-QKD in the situation of large channel asymmetry, and extend the secure transmission distance by more than 20-50 km in standard telecom fiber. The results have moved MDI-QKD towards widespread applications in practical network settings, where the channel losses are asymmetric and user nodes could be dynamically added or deleted.

quant-ph↗