The operation of a polarization-based quantum key distribution (QKD) testbed system is described. The system was developed for the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory under the DARPA Quantum Information Science and Technology program. Recent developments include upgrading the testbed system for operation at 830 nm wavelength. We describe the system architecture, control software, diagnostic and operational modes. The cryptosystem was tested in a point-to-point configuration with transmitter and receiver separated by a distance of 1.5 km, and using in-ground single-mode telecommunications optical fiber for the quantum channel.

Date Published: 12 May 2006
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 6244, Quantum Information and Computation IV, 62440F (12 May 2006); doi: 10.1117/12.666781

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6244:
Quantum Information and Computation IV
Eric J. Donkor; Andrew R. Pirich; Howard E. Brandt, Editor(s)