High speed quantum key distribution system

Quantum key distribution (QKD) systems can generate unconditionally secure common key between remote users. Improvement of QKD performance, particularly on key generation rate, has been required to meet current network traffic. The present paper considers system requirement to improve key generation rate by increasing photon detection rate and reducing error rate. A high-speed QKD system should be equipped with low loss receivers with high visibility, highly efficient photon detectors with small dark count probability, and a stable clock synchronization system with low stray light to the quantum signals. A solution for these issues are given by employing planar lightwave circuit interferometers, single photon detection circuits and modules, and clock synchronization based on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technique. A QKD system has been developed by combining these techniques. The system working with 625 MHz clock generated sift key at the rate of 2.4 kbps through a 97-km single installed fiber core.