Journal
SCIENCE ADVANCES
Volume 7, Issue 12, Pages -Publisher
AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe6379
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Funding
- European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (SPQRel) [679183]
- Regione Lazio program Progetti di Gruppi di ricerca (SINFONIA project) via LazioInnova spa [13/2008, 85-2017-15200]
- MIUR (Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Universita e della Ricerca) via project PRIN 2017 Taming complexity via QUantum Strategies a Hybrid Integrated Photonic approach (QUSHIP) [2017SRNBRK]
- European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program [899814]
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Quantum key distribution, a core feature of secure quantum networks, relies on a random secret key exchanged using a quantum mechanical resource. Semiconductor-based quantum emitters show promise in generating high-fidelity entangled photons and countering eavesdropping attacks, potentially moving beyond laboratory experiments to real-life quantum communication.
Quantum key distribution-exchanging a random secret key relying on a quantum mechanical resource-is the core feature of secure quantum networks. Entanglement-based protocols offer additional layers of security and scale favorably with quantum repeaters, but the stringent requirements set on the photon source have made their use situational so far. Semiconductor-based quantum emitters are a promising solution in this scenario, ensuring on-demand generation of near-unity-fidelity entangled photons with record-low multiphoton emission, the latter feature countering some of the best eavesdropping attacks. Here, we use a coherently driven quantum dot to experimentally demonstrate a modified Ekert quantum key distribution protocol with two quantum channel approaches: both a 250-m-long single-mode fiber and in free space, connecting two buildings within the campus of Sapienza University in Rome. Our field study highlights that quantum-dot entangled photon sources are ready to go beyond laboratory experiments, thus opening the way to real-life quantum communication.
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