Fast and Simple Qubit-Based Synchronization for Quantum Key Distribution
Luca Calderaro, Andrea Stanco, Costantino Agnesi, Marco Avesani, Daniele Dequal, Paolo Villoresi, Giuseppe Vallone
Abstract
We propose Qubit4Sync, a synchronization method for quantum-key-distribution (QKD) setups, based on the same qubits exchanged during the protocol and without requiring additional hardware other than that necessary to prepare and measure the quantum states, in a similar fashion to the clock recovery used in classical communications. Our approach introduces a cross-correlation algorithm with low computational complexity for high channel losses. We test the robustness of our scheme in a real QKD implementation, and we believe it may find application in other quantum communication protocols.
Topics & Concepts
Computer scienceQuantum key distributionQubitRobustness (evolution)Clock synchronizationSynchronization (alternating current)Key (lock)QuantumChannel (broadcasting)Quantum mechanicsPhysicsComputer networkComputer securityBiochemistryGeneChemistryQuantum Computing Algorithms and ArchitectureQuantum Information and CryptographyQuantum Mechanics and Applications