High-rate quantum key distribution with compact state preparation and detection

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a promising technology for information-theoretic secure communications. The practicality of QKD systems is critical for large-scale network deployment, requiring both high key generation rate and miniaturized modules for quantum-state preparation and detection. Here, we report a deployable QKD system that achieves secure key rates of 60.33 ± 0.03 Mbps at 10 km and 3.08 ± 0.20 Mbps at 100 km. The system integrates a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder encoder to achieve high-fidelity, unified preparation of polarization and decoy states via single-step modulation in a compact design. Meanwhile, we developed miniaturized single-photon avalanche detectors operating at 2.5 GHz, achieving high count rates while maintaining low noise. This high-performance and compact solution establishes a feasible roadmap for urban secure communication networks that require high capacity and bandwidth.

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Publication Details

Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2026-04-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2521590123
Primary Topic
Quantum Information and Cryptography
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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High-rate quantum key distribution with compact state preparation and detection

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Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a promising technology for information-theoretic secure communications. The practicality of QKD systems is critical for large-scale network deployment, requiring both high key generation rate and miniaturized modules for quantum-state preparation and detection. Here, we report a deployable QKD system that achieves secure key rates of 60.33 ± 0.03 Mbps at 10 km and 3.08 ± 0.20 Mbps at 100 km. The system integrates a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder encoder to achieve high-fidelity, unified preparation of polarization and decoy states via single-step modulation in a compact design. Meanwhile, we developed miniaturized single-photon avalanche detectors operating at 2.5 GHz, achieving high count rates while maintaining low noise. This high-performance and compact solution establishes a feasible roadmap for urban secure communication networks that require high capacity and bandwidth.

Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesVol. 123(18)
University of Science and Technology of China (CN), Harbin Institute of Technology (CN), Hefei University (CN), DigitalSpace (United States) (US), Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Jiangsu Provincial Key Research and Development Program, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Sustainable cities and communities
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Quantum Information and Cryptography
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