Efficient High-dimensional Quantum Key Distribution with Hybrid Encoding
This work addresses the need for more efficient quantum key distribution systems, offering a practical improvement for secure communication applications.
The authors tackled the problem of low secret key rates in quantum key distribution by proposing a high-dimensional encoding scheme using orbital angular momentum and multi-path modes of single photons, achieving an improved secret key rate compared to previous 2-dimensional protocols.
We propose a schematic setup of quantum key distribution (QKD) with an improved secret key rate based on high-dimensional quantum states. Two degrees-of-freedom of a single photon, orbital angular momentum modes, and multi-path modes, are used to encode secret key information. Its practical implementation consists of optical elements that are within the reach of current technologies such as a multiport interferometer. We show that the proposed feasible protocol has improved the secret key rate with much sophistication compared to the previous 2-dimensional protocol known as the detector-device-independent QKD.