Quantum dot source-based twin-field quantum key distribution

Photon-number superposition states are a valuable resource for quantum information processing and can be deterministically generated using advanced quantum-dot (QD) platforms. Here, we propose a twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) protocol that employs photon-number superposition states of the form 1− t |0⟩+ e i ϕ t |1⟩. Numerical simulations show that the protocol outperforms existing laser-based TF-QKD schemes in secret-key rate and transmission distance, surpasses the repeaterless bound, enabling secure communication beyond 210 km under experimentally achievable conditions. A key advantage is its direct compatibility with existing QD technology. As integrated, solid-state, on-demand single-photon sources, QDs inherently provide high stability, scalability, and photon indistinguishability, making them well suited for deployment in large-scale quantum networks. Overall, our work demonstrates a practical pathway toward high-performance long-distance TF-QKD and highlights the broader potential of solid-state non-classical light sources for quantum networking architectures.