Experimental quantum key distribution over highly noisy channels

Lamoureux, L. P.; Brainis, E.; Cerf, N.; Emplit, Ph.; Haelterman, M.; Massar, S.

Experimental quantum key distribution over highly noisy channels

Authors

Description

Error filtration is a method for encoding the quantum state of a single particle into a higher dimensional Hilbert space in such a way that it becomes less sensitive to phase noise. We experimentally demonstrate this method by distributing a secret key over an optical fiber whose noise level otherwise precludes secure quantum key distribution. By filtering out the phase noise, a bit error rate of 15.3% +/- 0.1%, which is beyond the security limit, can be reduced to 10.6% +/- 0.1%, thereby guaranteeing the cryptographic security.
4 pages, 2 figures