Versatile wavelength-division multiplexed quantum key distribution network operating simultaneously in the O and C bands

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Authors: Davide Scalcon, Matteo Padovan, Paolo Villoresi, Giuseppe Vallone, Marco Avesani
Cited by: 0

Abstract

Ongoing technological progress is accelerating the commercial and global-scale deployment of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). Its ability to enable unconditionally secure communication is expected to be a key feature of future telecommunication networks, and practical demonstrations of QKD network implementations in real-world environments are crucial for ensuring reliable adoption. In this work, we demonstrate a four-node photonic QKD network that employs versatile and cost-effective wavelength-division multiplexing across three transmitters in the O- and C-bands to simultaneously distribute quantum-secure keys among all nodes. Specifically, the broadband central receiver node shares all optical and electronic decoding components, except for the single-photon detectors, across the three QKD links, significantly reducing system costs and enhancing compactness.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Optical Network Technologies Quantum Information and Cryptography Advanced Photonic Communication Systems

Publication details

Journal / source
Optica Quantum
Volume
4
Issue
4
Pages
353–353
Publication date
14 May 2026
Language
EN