Performance of subcarrier-wave quantum key distribution in the presence of spontaneous Raman scattering noise generated by classical DWDM channels

Abstract

In this paper, we study the performance of the subcarrier-wave quantum key distribution system (SCW QKD) in the presence of spontaneous Raman scattering (SpRS) noise generated by classical channels of the dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network within a single-mode optical fiber. We present the mathematical model for evaluation of the quantum bit error rate and secure key generation rate with the SpRS noise taken into account. We consider two regimes of the SCW QKD system: the continuous wave regime, which uses a continuous wave laser, and the pulsed regime. For these regimes, performance of the system is analyzed depending on receiver sensitivity of classical DWDM. It is found that the pulsed regime outperforms the continuous wave regime in both the secure key generation rate and maximum achievable distance.