Free‐Space Time‐Bin Encoded Quantum Key Distribution from Near‐ to Mid‐Infrared Wavelengths
ABSTRACT Quantum technologies play a central role in establishing new ways of quantum‐secured communication. This work investigates free‐space quantum communication and explores the advantage of implementing quantum key distribution (QKD) with weak coherent states produced by a light source in the mid‐infrared (). Time‐bin encoded quantum key distribution is simulated, and it is demonstrated that a free‐space QKD link operating in the mid‐infrared outperforms configurations based on conventional near‐infrared wavelengths under various weather scenarios, with a particular significance in adverse meteorological conditions.
Authors
- Claudia De Lazzari
- Mario Siciliani de Cumis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2854-5881)
- Nicola Corrias (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9236-1898)
- Paolo De Natale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3308-8569)
- Domenico Ribezzo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5249-8339)
- Simone Borri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8471-2803)
- Tecla Gabbrielli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5767-3036)
- Natalia Bruno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5694-4866)
- Francesco Cappelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1622-0732)
- Davide Bacco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7757-4331)
- Alessandro Zavatta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1359-7956)
- Nicola Biagi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6671-0270)
Institutions
- Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (IT)
- National Institute of Optics (IT)
- European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility (BE)
- University of Florence (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Quantum Technologies
- Published
- 2026-04-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/qute.202500867
- Primary Topic
- Quantum Information and Cryptography
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- European Commission
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
- Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme