Time scrambling and decoy-state quantum key distribution for optical physical layer encryption

Abstract

We propose an optical physical layer encryption method based on real-time optical signal temporal scrambling and decoy-state quantum key distribution. The real-time optical signal processing is operating with an array of tunable Fabry-Perot cavities by using the updating and synchronization keys. Based on this scheme, an experimental demonstration is given to realize secure communication for optical physical layer in a standard 10 Gbps data transmission with quantum key distribution in real time. An on-line transmitted data over 100 km of a standard single mode fiber is realized with power penalty of as low as 3.45 dB, where the average key generation rate is better than 800 bps. The experimental results indicate that, the proposed encryption scheme of dynamic scrambling with quantum keys exhibits significantly potential for improving the confidentiality of optical physical layer.