Wavelength-division-multiplexed InGaAs/InP avalanched photodiodes for quantum key distributions

We demonstrate improved single photon detection efficiencies of InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiodes (APDs) in a wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) scheme for high-capacity plug-and-play-type two-way quantum key distributions (QKDs). Single-photon detectors (SPDs) combined in the WDM APD scheme can be used to overcome the detection speed limit of a single SPD which is caused mainly by the afterpulse effect. The multiple SPDs combined in the parallel WDM scheme can increase the single photon detection capacity, although additional optical losses resulted from the WDM MUX and deMUX devices induce limited increases.