Xin Yin

Quantum key distribution (QKD) stands as the most successful application of quantum information science, providing information-theoretic security for key exchange. While it has evolved from proof-of-concept experiments to commercial products, widespread adoption requires chip-based integration to reduce costs, enable mass production, facilitate miniaturization, and enhance system performance. Here, we demonstrate the first fully photonic-integrated continuous-variable QKD (CVQKD) system operating at a classical telecom symbol rate of 16 GBaud. Our system integrates a silicon photonic transmitter circuit (excluding the laser source) and a 20 GHz photonic-electronic receiver, which features a phase-diverse silicon photonic integrated circuit and custom-designed GaAs pHEMT transimpedance amplifiers. Advanced digital signal processing allows our system to achieve the highest reported secure key rate to date, reaching 0.289 Gb/s and 0.246 Gb/s over a 20 km fiber link in the asymptotic and finite-size regimes, respectively. These results establish a record key rate and represent a critical step toward scalable, cost-effective, and mass-deployable quantum-secure communication using photonic-integrated CVQKD systems.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a well-known application of quantum information theory that guarantees information-theoretically secure key exchange. While QKD systems are becoming commercially available, large-scale deployment of next-generation QKD systems requires photonic and electronic devices that are low-cost, small, and easily integrated with existing network infrastructure. Continuous variable (CV) QKD is a promising option for large-scale deployment due to its compatibility with standard telecom technology. Despite this, the secret key rates of CV-QKD systems have been limited to a few megabits per second due to the bandwidth bottleneck of the receiver and the limited symbol rate of the transmitter. Here, we present the first discrete-modulated coherent state CV-QKD system operating at a classical telecom symbol rate of 10 GBaud. This system generates keys at rates exceeding 0.7 Gb/s over a distance of 5 km and 0.3 Gb/s over a distance of 10 km while being secure against collective attacks in both the asymptotic and finite-size regimes. This is made possible by using a high-speed, co-integrated phase-diverse receiver consisting of a silicon photonics optical front-end and a custom-designed integrated transimpedance amplifier. Additionally, well-engineered digital signal processing is used for quantum state preparation and measurement. Our experiment sets a new record for secure quantum communication and paves the way for the next generation of CV-QKD systems.

Emerging communication and cryptography applications call for reliable, fast, unpredictable random number generators. Quantum random number generation allows for the creation of truly unpredictable numbers thanks to the inherent randomness available in quantum mechanics. A popular approach is using the quantum vacuum state to generate random numbers. While convenient, this approach was generally limited in speed compared to other schemes. Here, through custom co-design of opto-electronic integrated circuits and side-information reduction by digital filtering, we experimentally demonstrated an ultrafast generation rate of 100 Gbit/s, setting a new record for vacuum-based quantum random number generation by one order of magnitude. Furthermore, our experimental demonstrations are well supported by an upgraded device-dependent framework that is secure against both classical and quantum side-information and that also properly considers the non-linearity in the digitization process. This ultrafast secure random number generator in the chip-scale platform holds promise for next generation communication and cryptography applications.