QUAntum SAfe Randomness

Deployment-ready quantum key distribution over a classical network infrastructure in Padua

M. Avesani, G. Foletto, M. Padovan, L. Calderaro, C. Agnesi, E. Bazzani, F. Berra, T. Bertapelle, F. Picciariello, F. B.L. Santagiustina, D. Scalcon, A. Scriminich, A. Stanco, F. Vedovato, G. Vallone, P. Villoresi
Journal publication available on: Journal of Lightwave Technology (2021)
Preprint available on: [arXiv:2109.13558]
Aerial view of the fiber link used in the QKD field trial performed in Padua, Italy [©2021 Google].
The link connects the QKD transmitter, placed at the VSIX center, with the QKD receiver, placed
at the ICT Center of UniPD, over deployed metropolitan fibers, for a total of 13 km.

Current technological progress is driving Quantum Key Distribution towards a commercial and world widescale expansion. Its capability to deliver unconditionally secure communication will be a fundamental feature in the next generations of telecommunication networks. Nevertheless, demonstrations of QKD implementation in a real operating scenario and their coexistence with the classical telecom infrastructure are of fundamental importance for reliable exploitation. Here we present a Quantum Key Distribution application implemented overa classical fiber-based infrastructure. By exploiting just a single fiber cable for both the quantum and the classical channel and by using a simplified receiver scheme with just one single-photon detector, we demonstrate the feasibility of low-cost and ready-to-use Quantum Key Distribution systems compatible with standard classical infrastructure.