ABSTRACT
Quantum-key-distribution (QKD) networks are gaining importance and it has become necessary to analyze the most appropriate methods for their long-distance interconnection. In this paper, four different methods of interconnecting remote QKD networks are proposed. The methods are used to link three different QKD testbeds in Europe, located in Berlin, Madrid, and Poznan. Although long-distance QKD links are only emulated, the methods used can serve as a blueprint for the secure interconnection of distant QKD networks in the future. Specifically, the presented approaches combine, in a transparent way, different fiber and satellite physical media, as well as common standards of key delivery interfaces. The testbed interconnections are designed to increase the security by utilizing multipath techniques and multiple hybridizations of QKD and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms.
ABSTRACT
The interference between two spectral lines of the frequency comb of a fiber femtosecond laser is used to generate millimeter-wave and terahertz tones. The two lines are selected by stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) amplification. All other modes are strongly rejected based on polarization discrimination, using the polarization-pulling effect that is associated with SBS. The inherent high spectral quality of a femtosecond fiber laser comb allows generation of millimeter- and terahertz waves with linewidths below 1 Hz, and a phase noise of -105 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. The generation, free-space transmission and detection of continuous waves at 1 THz are demonstrated as well. Lastly, the generated millimeter-wave carriers are modulated by 40 Gbit/s data. The entire system consists of a fiber laser and standard equipment of optical telecommunications. Besides metrology, spectroscopy and astronomy, the method can be utilized for the emergent field of wireless millimeter-wave and THz-communications at ultra-high data rates.