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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.17744 |
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| _version_ | 1866910889558409216 |
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| author | Li, Yu-Huai Zeng, Ting Wang, Min-Yan Jiang, Cong Lin, Jin Fu, Hao-Bin Zheng, Xin-Yang Chen, Jiu-Peng Lin, Zeng-Sen Li, Cheng-Lin Guan, Jian-Yu Li, Yang Shen, Qi Li, Hao You, Lixing Wang, Zhen Zhou, Fei Yin, Juan Liao, Sheng-Kai Ren, Ji-Gang Wang, Xiang-Bin Cao, Yuan Zhang, Qiang Peng, Cheng-Zhi Pan, Jian-Wei |
| author_facet | Li, Yu-Huai Zeng, Ting Wang, Min-Yan Jiang, Cong Lin, Jin Fu, Hao-Bin Zheng, Xin-Yang Chen, Jiu-Peng Lin, Zeng-Sen Li, Cheng-Lin Guan, Jian-Yu Li, Yang Shen, Qi Li, Hao You, Lixing Wang, Zhen Zhou, Fei Yin, Juan Liao, Sheng-Kai Ren, Ji-Gang Wang, Xiang-Bin Cao, Yuan Zhang, Qiang Peng, Cheng-Zhi Pan, Jian-Wei |
| contents | Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) elevates the secure key rate from a linear to a square-root dependence on channel loss while preserving measurement-device-independent security. This protocol is uniquely positioned to enable global-scale quantum networks, even under extreme channel loss. While fiber-based TF-QKD implementations have advanced rapidly since its proposal, free-space realizations have remained elusive due to atmospheric turbulence-induced phase distortions. Here, we report the first experimental demonstration of free-space TF-QKD over 14.2 km urban atmospheric channels, surpassing the effective atmospheric thickness -- a critical threshold for satellite compatibility. We achieve a secret key rate exceeding the repeaterless capacity bound, a milestone for practical quantum communication. Our approach eliminates the need for an auxiliary channel to stabilize a closed interferometer, instead leveraging open-channel time and phase control of optical pulses. This work represents a pivotal advance toward satellite-based global quantum networks, combining high-speed key distribution with inherent resistance to real-world channel fluctuations. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_17744 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Free-Space Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution Li, Yu-Huai Zeng, Ting Wang, Min-Yan Jiang, Cong Lin, Jin Fu, Hao-Bin Zheng, Xin-Yang Chen, Jiu-Peng Lin, Zeng-Sen Li, Cheng-Lin Guan, Jian-Yu Li, Yang Shen, Qi Li, Hao You, Lixing Wang, Zhen Zhou, Fei Yin, Juan Liao, Sheng-Kai Ren, Ji-Gang Wang, Xiang-Bin Cao, Yuan Zhang, Qiang Peng, Cheng-Zhi Pan, Jian-Wei Quantum Physics Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) elevates the secure key rate from a linear to a square-root dependence on channel loss while preserving measurement-device-independent security. This protocol is uniquely positioned to enable global-scale quantum networks, even under extreme channel loss. While fiber-based TF-QKD implementations have advanced rapidly since its proposal, free-space realizations have remained elusive due to atmospheric turbulence-induced phase distortions. Here, we report the first experimental demonstration of free-space TF-QKD over 14.2 km urban atmospheric channels, surpassing the effective atmospheric thickness -- a critical threshold for satellite compatibility. We achieve a secret key rate exceeding the repeaterless capacity bound, a milestone for practical quantum communication. Our approach eliminates the need for an auxiliary channel to stabilize a closed interferometer, instead leveraging open-channel time and phase control of optical pulses. This work represents a pivotal advance toward satellite-based global quantum networks, combining high-speed key distribution with inherent resistance to real-world channel fluctuations. |
| title | Free-Space Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution |
| topic | Quantum Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.17744 |