NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PUBLICATIONS

Detector performance in long-distance quantum key distribution using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Published

Author(s)

Burm Baek, Lijun Ma, Alan Mink, Xiao Tang, Sae Woo Nam

Abstract

The recent advances in superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD or SSPD) technology has enabled long distance quantum key distribution (QKD) over an optical fiber. We point out that the performance of SNSPDs play a crucial role in achieving a secure transmission distance of 100 km or longer. We analyze such an impact from a simplified model and use it to interpret results from our differential-phase-shift (DPS) QKD experiment. This allows us to discuss the optimization of the detection time window and the clock frequency given the detector characteristics such as dark count rate, detection efficiency, and timing jitter.
Proceedings Title
Proc., SPIE
Conference Dates
April 13-17, 2009
Conference Location
Orlando, FL
Conference Title
SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing 2009
Pub Type
Conferences

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

Quantum key distribution, superconducting nanowire single-photon detector, optical fiber, single photon detector, superconducting detector, cryptography
Quantum information science

Citation

Baek, B. , Ma, L. , Mink, A. , Tang, X. and Nam, S. (2009), Detector performance in long-distance quantum key distribution using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors, Proc., SPIE, Orlando, FL, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=902216 (Accessed October 27, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created April 12, 2009, Updated February 19, 2017
Was this page helpful?