Abstract

Due to the limit of response speed of the present single-photon detector, the code rate is still too low to come into practical use for the present quantum key distribution (QKD) system. A new idea is put up to design a quick single-photon detector. This quick single-photon detector is composed of a multi-port optic-fiber splitter and many avalanche photo diodes (APDs). All of the ports with APDs work on the time division and cooperate with a logic discriminating and deciding unit driven by the clock signal. The operation frequency lies on the number N of ports, and can reach N times of the conventional single-photon detector. The single-photon prompt detection can come true for high repetition-rate pulses. The applying of this detector will largely raise the code rate of the QKD, and boost the commercial use.

© 2008 Chinese Optics Letters

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