Title :
Low timing jitter detector for gigahertz quantum key distribution
Author :
Collins, R.J. ; Hadfield, R.H. ; Fernandez, V. ; Nam, S.W. ; Buller, G.S.
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Eng. & Phys. Sci., Heriot-Watt Univ., Edinburgh
Abstract :
A superconducting single-photon detector based on a niobium nitride nanowire is demonstrated in an optical-fibre-based quantum key distribution test bed operating at a clock rate of 3.3 GHz and a transmission wavelength of 850 nm. The low jitter of the detector leads to significant reduction in estimated quantum bit error rate and a resultant improvement in secrecy efficiency compared to previous estimates made by use of silicon single-photon avalanche detectors
Keywords :
error statistics; nanowires; niobium compounds; optical communication equipment; optical fibre communication; quantum cryptography; superconducting photodetectors; timing jitter; 3.3 GHz; 850 nm; NbN; gigahertz quantum key distribution; low timing jitter detector; niobium nitride nanowire; optical-fibre-based quantum key distribution test bed; quantum bit error rate; superconducting single-photon detector;
Journal_Title :
Electronics Letters
