Quantum key distribution using a triggered quantum dot source emitting near 1.3 microns

Authors:
  • PIP. M. Intallura
    P. M. Intallura
  • MWM. B. Ward
    M. B. Ward
  • OKO. Z. Karimov
    O. Z. Karimov
  • ZYZ. L. Yuan
    Z. L. Yuan
  • PSP. See
    P. See
  • ASA. J. Shields
    A. J. Shields
  • PAP. Atkinson
    P. Atkinson
  • DRD. A. Ritchie
    D. A. Ritchie
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Abstract
We report the distribution of a cryptographic key, secure from photon number splitting attacks, over 35 km of optical fiber using single photons from an InAs quantum dot emitting ~1.3 microns in a pillar microcavity. Using below GaAs-bandgap optical excitation, we demonstrate suppression of multiphoton emission to 10% of the Poissonian level without detector dark count subtraction. The source is incorporated into a phase encoded interferometric scheme implementing the BB84 protocol for key distribution over standard telecommunication optical fiber. We show a transmission distance advantage over that possible with (length-optimized) uniform intensity weak coherent pulses at 1310 nm in the same system.