High-bit-rate continuous-variable quantum key distribution

Abstract

Here, we demonstrate that a practical Continuous Variables Quantum Key Distribution (CVQKD) protocol relying on the Gaussian modulation of coherent states features secret key rates that cannot be achieved with standard qubit Discrete Variables (DV) QKD protocols. Notably, we report for the first time a practical postprocessing that allows to extract more than one bit of secret key per channel use.