Host Institute: University of Leeds

Project Supervisor: Dr Mohsen Razavi

ESR:Guillermo Lorenzo Curras

Starting date: September2017

Duration: 3 years

Project Description

A PhD position is available on the recently proposed memory-assisted QKD systems. Such systems can improve the reach and the rate of QKD links by possibly using imperfect memories almost available today. While not scalable, they relax some of the requirements on quantum memories, as compared to a fully functional quantum repeater, where the latter is the ultimate solution for long-distance QKD. The pioneering work at the Universities of Leeds and  Dusseldorf [Phys. Rev. A 89, 012301 (2014); New J. Phys. 16, 043005 (2014)] shows that, while the memories employed in such systems may not require long coherence times  as in conventional quantum repeaters, they still need to have certain other attributes, e.g., large storage-bandwidth products, to be useful. This project is seeking novel setups, based on realistic single-photon or entangled-photon sources, with different types of memories in order to come up with a scenario that can be built with today’s technology and which can outperform the conventional QKD systems in terms of rate-versus-distance behaviour. The objective is to find the key specifications needed for an experimental demonstration, or to identify the extent of imperfection that holds us back, with the prospect of involving experimentalists for a demonstration. The work will be carried out in close connection with Project 8 and other relevant partners in the network.

Project Outcomes

To be updated.