Quantum key distribution over a 2 km free-space channel with a high secure key rate

arXiv:2607.24118 · quant-ph · Submitted 2026-07-27 · Read on arXiv

quant-ph

Submitted: 2026-07-27

Updated: 2026-10-16

Comments: 8 pages, 4 figures

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The gist: Free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) provides crucial advantages, including mobility and deployment exibility, for securing next-generation communication networks.

Terminology

Abstract

Free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) provides crucial advantages, including mobility and deployment exibility, for securing next-generation communication networks. However, atmospheric turbulence and beam wander severely degrade single-photon coupling effciency and link stability over outdoor channels. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a free-space decoy-state BB84 QKD system operating at 803 nm with a 100 MHz repetition rate over a 2 km outdoor link. By employing an active beam-wander correction based on fast-steering mirrors (FSMs) and position sensitive detectors (PSDs) with a 500 Hz control loop, we enhance the ?ber coupling effciency and achieve an average ?nite-key secure key rate of 110 kbps with an average quantum bit error rate (QBER) of 3.28 %, representing a 2.5 times secure key rate enhancement under an active beam stabilization. This work demonstrates the indispensability of active beam stabilization and provides an operational reference for robust, long-range free-space quantum communication.

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