Alessia Scriminich

Here we present a simple and robust polarization encoded QKD experiment where synchronization, polarization compensation and QKD are all performed with the same optical setup, without requiring any changes or any additional hardware, by exploiting only the transmission of quantum states. Furthermore, the developed polarization encoder exhibits high stability and the lowest intrinsic Quantum Bit Error Rate ever reported.

Space-based quantum key distribution would allow, in the near future, secure communications be- tween parties over continental distances, complementing short-range fiber-based quantum networks. However, further demonstrations of daylight operations over free-space channels and the full compatibility with the telecom-based fiber infrastructure are still necessary. Here we present the prototype for daylight QKD at 1550 nm we developed as a demonstrator for application of QKD both on ground and in Space. Our QKD source, exploiting integrated silicon photonics technology, allows to reach a QBER of 1% during the field-test performed over a 145 m link, and represents a promising resource to design quantum optical payloads to be implemented in future satellite missions.

We describe a QKD field trial running on urban fibers deployed in Padua, Italy. This is the first validation outside of the laboratory environment of a new low-error and calibration-free polarization encoder, called iPOGNAC, which we also present here. Our system is resource- and cost-effective, and can be installed quickly in an existing fiber network.

The 18-month project called PROtocols for Space sEcure Quantum cOmmunication (PROSEQO), funded by the European Space Agency, was coordinated by the University of Padova with Sitael and Qascom as industrial partners. The scope of the project was to assess the protocols feasible for Satellite QKD and then realize an analytical model to describe all the elements that contribute to the Secret Key Rate (SKR). The analytical model was integrated in a dedicated software able to get several input parameters and orbit descriptions and calculate the final SKR. The software was tested in 10 different case studies. Therefore, this can be a useful tool for future Satellite QKD missions as a preliminary step to evaluate mission feasibility. It could also be the starting point for a numerical overview on the practicability of a satellite QKD infrastructure.