Ad-hoc hybrid-heterogeneous metropolitan-range quantum key distribution network
Abstract This paper presents the development and implementation of a versatile ad-hoc metropolitan-range quantum key distribution (QKD) network. The approach presented integrates various types of physical channels and QKD protocols, and a mix of trusted nodes and intermodal coupling. Unlike conventional QKD networks that predominantly depend on either fiber-based or free-space optical (FSO) links, the testbed presented incorporates FSO and fiber-based links, thereby overcoming some inherent limitations. Various network deployment strategies have been considered, including permanent infrastructure and provisional ad-hoc links to eradicate coverage gaps. Furthermore, the ability to rapidly establish a network using portable FSO terminals and to investigate diverse link topologies is demonstrated. The study also showcases the successful establishment of a quantum-secured link to a cloud server.
Authors
- Thomas Dirmeier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4935-9810)
- Fabian Steinlechner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0122-1182)
- Christoph Marquardt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5045-513X)
- Jan Krause (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3428-7025)
- Andy Schreier (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8424-3899)
- Thorsten A. Goebel
- Philippe Ancsin
- Teresa Kopf
- Natasa Pavlovic Tucakovic
- Christopher Spiess (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5974-9177)
- Oskar Kohout
- Hüseyin Vural (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5500-5023)
- Stefan Weide
- Gerd Leuchs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1967-2766)
- Ronald Freund (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9427-3437)
- René Rüddenklau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2876-8591)
- Sarika Mishra
- Friederike Fohlmeister (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2568-7473)
- Kevin Jaksch (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9520-0424)
- Karolina Paciorek
- Nino Walenta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7243-0454)
- Marcel Rothe
- Nico Lennart Döll
- Jan Schreck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3034-6067)
- Ömer Bayraktar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6984-8622)
- Sakshi Sharma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0291-3271)
- Stefan Richter (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2128-9272)
- Matthias Goy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2330-7226)
- Florian Moll
- Markus Leipe
- Andreas Tuennermann
- Florian David
- Martin Schell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5632-0105)
- G. Sauer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0257-8952)
- Jonas Hilt
- Karen Lozano Mendez
- Anja Milde
- Simon Spier
- Jansen Dwan
- Andrej Krciz
Institutions
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (DE)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute (DE)
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) (DE)
- Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (DE)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (DE)
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena (DE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- New Journal of Physics
- Published
- 2025-10-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/ae1864
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Quantum Information and Cryptography
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.96
Funders
- Australian Government