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Enhanced Performance of Measurement-device-independent Quantum Key Distribution over Turbulent Channels through Adaptive Optics

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Abstract

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) has demonstrated significant security in countering detection-side attacks, expanding the practical applications of quantum communication over fiber-based links. Nevertheless, implementing MDI-QKD over free-space links presents challenges, including fluctuations in transmittance induced by atmospheric turbulence. Adaptive optics (AO) provides an effective means to mitigate the impact of atmospheric turbulence. Here we investigate the feasibility of extending AO to free-space MDI-QKD, using a satellite-based MDI-QKD model and an elliptic-beam model to describe the probability distribution of transmittance (PDT). Through comprehensive numerical simulations, we assess the impact of communication distance and turbulence intensity on PDT, highlighting the effectiveness of AO optimization in enhancing the practicality of the protocol over free-space links. The results provide valuable insights for future research in the field of free-space quantum communication.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The project was supported by Fund of State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications (Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications)(No. IPOC2023ZT05), P. R. China and National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 61571060).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communication, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, 100876, China

    Rongzhen Jiao

  2. School of Science, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, 100876, China

    Guoqi Huang, Ziang Song, Qin Dong, Wei Cui, Mingyuan Sun & Rongzhen Jiao

  3. China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Beijing, 100191, China

    Ziang Song

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  1. Guoqi Huang
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Huang, G., Song, Z., Dong, Q. et al. Enhanced Performance of Measurement-device-independent Quantum Key Distribution over Turbulent Channels through Adaptive Optics. Quantum Inf Process 23, 68 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-024-04270-8

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