Article
Optics
Yuan-Mei Xie, Bing-Hong Li, Yu-Shuo Lu, Xiao-Yu Cao, Wen-Bo Liu, Hua-Lei Yin, Zeng-Bing Chen
Summary: A heralded DIQKD scheme based on entangled coherent states is proposed to improve entangling rates, with the secret key rate significantly outperforming traditional schemes and surpassing capacity bounds, making it an important step towards realizing DIQKD and a promising candidate for entanglement swapping in the future quantum internet.
Review
Quantum Science & Technology
Yingqiu Mao, Pei Zeng, Teng-Yun Chen
Summary: This article presents an up-to-date survey on recent developments in QKD area, including security proofs of phase-matching QKD and other TF-QKD type protocols, theoretical examinations under realistic conditions, and recent experimental demonstrations.
ADVANCED QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Quantum Science & Technology
Daniele Dequal, Luis Trigo Vidarte, Victor Roman Rodriguez, Giuseppe Vallone, Paolo Villoresi, Anthony Leverrier, Eleni Diamanti
Summary: Establishing secure communication links at a global scale using quantum information science is challenging but achievable, as shown by recent landmark experiments. Continuous-variable encoding in a satellite-to-ground downlink configuration can lead to positive secret key rates, especially in low-Earth-orbit scenarios, with limitations potentially arising in higher orbits due to finite-size effects. Our analysis helps determine parameters for successful secret key exchange and can guide further experimental efforts in this direction.
NPJ QUANTUM INFORMATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cecilia Clivati, Alice Meda, Simone Donadello, Salvatore Virzi, Marco Genovese, Filippo Levi, Alberto Mura, Mirko Pittaluga, Zhiliang Yuan, Andrew J. Shields, Marco Lucamarini, Ivo Pietro Degiovanni, Davide Calonico
Summary: In this study, the authors use technologies from the optical clocks community to demonstrate a setup for twin-field quantum key distribution (QKD) that extends the coherence times by three orders of magnitude, overcoming the main challenge towards real-world implementation. They develop a solution using interferometry techniques to enable simultaneous key streaming and channel length control, and successfully demonstrate it on a 206 km field-deployed fiber. This technique represents an effective solution for real-world quantum communications.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Quantum Science & Technology
Hong-Wei Li, Jian-Hong Shi, Qing-Yu Cai, Chang-Pu Sun
Summary: Quantum key distribution provides information-theoretic security keys. The security of the generated key depends on the difficulty for the eavesdropper to guess the key and the distance between the practical and ideal quantum states. Selecting appropriate security parameters ensures the security of the generated key.
QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Quantum Science & Technology
Sebastian Ecker, Bo Liu, Johannes Handsteiner, Matthias Fink, Dominik Rauch, Fabian Steinlechner, Thomas Scheidl, Anton Zeilinger, Rupert Ursin
Summary: Quantum key distribution technology is a pioneering field that can be enhanced through the use of satellite links to overcome terrestrial transmission limitations. Researchers have successfully transmitted secure keys at rates up to 300 bits per second over a 143 km terrestrial link using high-brightness photon pair sources and receiver modules.
NPJ QUANTUM INFORMATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lai Zhou, Jinping Lin, Yumang Jing, Zhiliang Yuan
Summary: Twin-field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) has emerged as a practical solution for long-distance secure fibre communication due to its repeater-like rate-loss scaling. However, the implementation complexity of TF-QKD can be a challenge. This study proposes a technique that stabilizes an open channel without the need for a closed interferometer, enabling a simple and versatile TF-QKD setup. The authors demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and achieve a finite-size rate of 0.32 bit/s at a distance of 615.6 km.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Quantum Science & Technology
I-Cheng Liu, Tzonelih Hwang, Hsu-Chen Wei
Summary: This paper presents a three-party authenticated lightweight quantum key distribution (TPALQKD) protocol that allows two lightweight participants to share a secret key without pre-shared keys or a quantum channel between them. Compared to existing research, the proposed TPALQKD protocol reduces the quantum burden on participants, decreases the trustworthiness level required for the third party, and improves qubit efficiency. Additionally, it has been extended to support quantum dialogue and is shown to be robust against collective attacks through security analysis.
QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Optics
Guan-Jie Fan-Yuan, Feng-Yu Lu, Shuang Wang, Zhen-Qiang Yin, De-Yong He, Zheng Zhou, Jun Teng, Wei Chen, Guang-Can Guo, Zheng-Fu Han
Summary: Untrusted node networks implemented by MDI-QKD are crucial for the quantum Internet. Upgrading existing networks to MDI networks can be achieved with the NSA-MDI scheme, improving network survivability and meeting diverse security and bandwidth demands.
PHOTONICS RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Mario Mastriani
Summary: In this study, an improved and generalized superdense coding protocol is developed, leading to a novel quantum key secure communication protocol utilizing an N-bit key, optical multiplexers and demultiplexers, and quantum repeaters based on entanglement swapping. The new protocol allows simultaneous transmission of N-bit encrypted information through optical channels. Implementations on the Quirk simulator and the IBM Q Experience program are conducted, along with an analysis of errors introduced by the number of quantum repeaters. Additionally, the advantages of using an optical link for quantum communication between submerged submarines in the presence of a third-party eavesdropper are discussed.
OPTICAL AND QUANTUM ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Quantum Science & Technology
Hang Liu, Zhen-Qiang Yin, Rong Wang, Ze-Hao Wang, Shuang Wang, Wei Chen, Guang-Can Guo, Zheng-Fu Han
Summary: This paper presents an improved security proof for the RRDPS protocol against the most general coherent attack based on the entropic uncertainty relation, addressing finite-key effects. The results indicate that experimentally acceptable numbers of pulses are sufficient to approach the theoretical bound closely, shedding light on practical QKD without monitoring signal disturbance.
NPJ QUANTUM INFORMATION
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Mohsen Falamarzi Askarani, Kaushik Chakraborty, Gustavo Castro do Amaral
Summary: The proposed quantum network architecture utilizes quantum processing devices based on NV- color centers as quantum routers, with long-distance entanglement distribution enabled by spectrally-multiplexed quantum repeaters based on absorptive quantum memories and imperfect entangled photon-pair sources. The inclusion of a quantum buffer structure between repeaters and routers improves the achievable entanglement distribution rates in the network.
NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Quantum Science & Technology
Bang-Ying Tang, Bo Liu, Wan-Rong Yu, Chun-Qing Wu
Summary: A Shannon-limit approached (SLA) information reconciliation (IR) scheme is proposed in this article, which effectively reduces the frame error rate and improves efficiency through two phases of processing.
QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Quantum Science & Technology
Bang-Ying Tang, Huan Chen, Ji-Peng Wang, Hui-Cun Yu, Lei Shi, Shi-Hai Sun, Wei Peng, Bo Liu, Wan-Rong Yu
Summary: This article presents a free-running reference-frame-independent (RFI) quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme that can effectively overcome the issues of transmission distance reduction and secure key rate decrease caused by rapidly and randomly drifted reference frames. The experiment demonstrates the feasibility of this scheme on a fiber link and achieves a high key rate.
NPJ QUANTUM INFORMATION
(2022)
Article
Optics
Yaodi Pi, Heng Wang, Yan Pan, Yun Shao, Yang Li, Jie Yang, Yichen Zhang, Wei Huang, Bingjie Xu
Summary: We demonstrated a sub-Mbps Gaussian-modulated coherent-state continuous-variable quantum key distribution system over a 100-km transmission distance. To control excess noise, the quantum signal and the pilot tone were co-transmitted in the fiber channel using wideband frequency and polarization multiplexing methods. A high-accuracy data-assisted time domain equalization algorithm was designed to compensate for phase noise and polarization variation. The experimentally calculated secure key rate over transmission distances of 50 km, 75 km, and 100 km was 7.55 Mbps, 1.87 Mbps, and 0.51 Mbps, respectively. This experiment significantly improved the transmission distance and secure key rate compared to previous state-of-the-art results, demonstrating the potential for long-distance and high-speed secure quantum key distribution.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cecilia Clivati, Alice Meda, Simone Donadello, Salvatore Virzi, Marco Genovese, Filippo Levi, Alberto Mura, Mirko Pittaluga, Zhiliang Yuan, Andrew J. Shields, Marco Lucamarini, Ivo Pietro Degiovanni, Davide Calonico
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cecilia Clivati, Alice Meda, Simone Donadello, Salvatore Virzi, Marco Genovese, Filippo Levi, Alberto Mura, Mirko Pittaluga, Zhiliang Yuan, Andrew J. Shields, Marco Lucamarini, Ivo Pietro Degiovanni, Davide Calonico
Summary: In this study, the authors use technologies from the optical clocks community to demonstrate a setup for twin-field quantum key distribution (QKD) that extends the coherence times by three orders of magnitude, overcoming the main challenge towards real-world implementation. They develop a solution using interferometry techniques to enable simultaneous key streaming and channel length control, and successfully demonstrate it on a 206 km field-deployed fiber. This technique represents an effective solution for real-world quantum communications.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Yi-Zhen Shao, Zhi-Liang Yuan, Yan-Yan Liu, Feng-Qin Liu, Rui-Chen Xiang, Yuan-Yuan Zhang, Yong-Zhong Ye, Yun Chen, Qian Wen
Summary: Understanding how species respond to climate change is crucial for conservation and management. This study examined high and low elevation firs in North America and East Asia to test two hypotheses on expansion during different climatic periods. The findings suggest that high-elevation firs experienced glacial expansion, while low-elevation firs expanded during interglacial periods. Conservation strategies, such as ex-situ conservation, are needed to protect endangered fir species in the face of increasing global warming.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Qiang Fu, Yizhen Shao, Senlin Wang, Fengqin Liu, Guohang Tian, Yun Chen, Zhiliang Yuan, Yongzhong Ye
Summary: This study investigated the influence of different vegetation types on soil microbes in a temperate urban forest in China using high-throughput sequencing techniques. The results showed that different vegetation types have varying impacts on the abundance and spatial distribution of soil microbes, highlighting the importance of vegetation types for microbial biodiversity conservation in urban forests.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Xiayan Zhou, Zhao Wang, Wenxin Liu, Qianjin Fu, Yizhen Shao, Fengqin Liu, Yongzhong Ye, Yun Chen, Zhiliang Yuan
Summary: The distribution of woody plants in mountain forest ecosystems is specialized and influenced by topography and monsoons. The community structure and stability vary among different aspects of the mountain.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zhiliang Yuan, Man Xiao, Xiao Su, He Zhao, Yushan Li, Huiping Zhang, Ziyu Zhou, Rui Qi, Yun Chen, Wei Wang
Summary: This study investigated the plant diversity in wetlands along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. A total of 184 plant species belonging to 52 families and 135 genera were found in the seven nature reserves. The results showed that both environmental factors and human disturbance factors influenced the plant diversity in these wetlands.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ziyu Zhou, Man Xiao, Senlin Wang, Xueying Wang, Wang Li, Yun Chen, Zhiliang Yuan, Erhui Guo
Summary: Temporal partitioning hypothesis refers to the promotion of stable species' coexistence by reducing the likelihood of competitive exclusion. In this study, a field survey of fungal sporocarps was conducted, and the results showed highly specialized and uneven emergence of different species based on month. The findings suggest the importance of temporal partitioning in maintaining local diversity in the fungal community.
Article
Microbiology
Yun Chen, Jingjing Xi, Man Xiao, Senlin Wang, Wenju Chen, Fengqin Liu, Yizhen Shao, Zhiliang Yuan
Summary: This study shows that the distribution patterns of soil microbial communities are influenced by plant community composition, and different types of plant populations exhibit specialized distribution of soil microbes. Fungi are more specialized than bacteria.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tao Wang, Yao Zhang, Weiyu Kong, Liang Qiao, Bingguo Peng, Zhichao Shen, Qifeng Han, Han Chen, Zhiliang Yuan, Rongkun Zheng, Xudong Yang
Summary: This study presents a solution strategy to stabilize the hole transport in organic layers of perovskite solar cells, resulting in improved hole conductivity and well-matched band alignment. The fabricated solar cells exhibited excellent durability and maintained high conversion efficiency under extreme conditions.
Article
Optics
Yuanbin Fan, Tingting Shi, Weijie Ji, Lai Zhou, Yang Ji, Zhiliang Yuan
Summary: Afterpulsing noise in InGaAs/InP single photon avalanche photodiodes can be suppressed by limiting the avalanche charge via sub-nanosecond gating. A novel ultra-narrowband interference circuit (UNIC) is proposed to reject the capacitive response while keeping photon signals intact. By cascading two UNIC's in a readout circuit, high count rates and low afterpulsing probabilities were achieved at different detection efficiencies and temperatures.
Article
Optics
Yuanfei Gao, Zhiliang Yuan
Summary: Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a promising technology for distributing secure encryption keys between distant users. The use of the decoy-state technique has greatly improved its practicality and performance, and is widely used in commercial systems. However, conventional intensity modulators can introduce security vulnerabilities in high-speed QKD systems. In this study, we analyze the transfer function of an in-phase/quadrature (IQ) modulator and demonstrate its superiority for stable decoy-state generation. IQ modulators, with their convenient two-level modulation and high-speed capabilities, are ideal for high-speed decoy-state QKD systems.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lai Zhou, Jinping Lin, Yumang Jing, Zhiliang Yuan
Summary: Twin-field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) has emerged as a practical solution for long-distance secure fibre communication due to its repeater-like rate-loss scaling. However, the implementation complexity of TF-QKD can be a challenge. This study proposes a technique that stabilizes an open channel without the need for a closed interferometer, enabling a simple and versatile TF-QKD setup. The authors demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and achieve a finite-size rate of 0.32 bit/s at a distance of 615.6 km.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Qiang Zeng, Haoyang Wang, Huihong Yuan, Yuanbin Fan, Lai Zhou, Yuanfei Gao, Haiqiang Ma, Zhiliang Yuan
Summary: Quantum entanglement is a vital resource in quantum information processing, but the control of this resource has been overlooked. This work proposes a simple protocol to upgrade an entanglement source with access control through phase randomization. The enhanced source effectively controls users' utilization of the entanglement resource for quantum cryptography and serves as a practical countermeasure against memory attacks in device-independent quantum key distribution at a low cost.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2023)
Article
Optics
Y. S. Lo, R. I. Woodward, N. Walk, M. Lucamarini, I. De Marco, T. K. Paraiso, M. Pittaluga, T. Roger, M. Sanzaro, Z. L. Yuan, A. J. Shields
Summary: Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows secure key exchange between users, but current systems rely on expensive and bulky modulators, limiting compactness. We propose a novel optical transmitter design using directly modulated lasers and coherent interference to generate intensity- and phase-tunable pulses at high speeds. Our design eliminates the need for bulk modulators, making it suitable for miniaturization and integration. We demonstrate a proof-of-principle QKD to showcase its potential applications.