Utku Akin explores making quantum communications more secure at OFC 2025
Session will examine security risks in CV-QKD due to receiver nonlinearities and the effect of high-power pilot signals
- Speakers: Utku Akin, advanced technology engineer at Adva Network Security
- Topics: Impact of pilot-aided signal schemes on practical CV-QKD security
- When: Wednesday, April 2, 6:15 p.m. PT
- Where: OFC, Moscone Center, San Francisco, California, USA https://www.ofcconference.org/en-us/home/
Ensuring the security of continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) systems remains a challenge, particularly due to vulnerabilities introduced by receiver nonlinearities. Optical coherent receivers can distort security parameters, and as the pilot-to-signal power ratio (PSPR) increases, these nonlinearities may cause excess noise to be underestimated. This can result in an overestimated secret key rate (SKR), ultimately compromising the integrity of quantum key distribution networks.
In this session, Utku Akin will present findings from experimental studies exploring how high-power pilot signals affect CV-QKD system security. The discussion will highlight the importance of aligning signaling schemes with receiver characteristics and provide insights into optimizing signal schemes to mitigate risks and ensure reliable quantum key distribution.