TY - GEN
T1 - Multi-level Parameter Estimation for Receiver Noise in CV-QKD
AU - Ricard, Guillaume
AU - Jaouën, Yves
AU - Alléaume, Romain
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
PY - 2026/1/1
Y1 - 2026/1/1
N2 - We present an experimental method for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) that removes the need for conventional receiver noise calibration. By exploiting Multi-Level Parameter Estimation (MLPE) with controlled attenuation at the receiver, our approach directly estimates the total receiver noise, including contributions from the local oscillator, while simultaneously extracting channel-induced excess noise. This calibration-free technique allows continuous operation without halting quantum transmissions, increasing experimental throughput and robustness. We implement the method in a dual-polarization, local-local oscillator CV-QKD system multiplexed with a classical communication channel, demonstrating precise receiver noise estimation. Our results highlight MLPE as a practical tool for scalable, real-time CV-QKD deployment.
AB - We present an experimental method for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) that removes the need for conventional receiver noise calibration. By exploiting Multi-Level Parameter Estimation (MLPE) with controlled attenuation at the receiver, our approach directly estimates the total receiver noise, including contributions from the local oscillator, while simultaneously extracting channel-induced excess noise. This calibration-free technique allows continuous operation without halting quantum transmissions, increasing experimental throughput and robustness. We implement the method in a dual-polarization, local-local oscillator CV-QKD system multiplexed with a classical communication channel, demonstrating precise receiver noise estimation. Our results highlight MLPE as a practical tool for scalable, real-time CV-QKD deployment.
KW - Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD)
KW - Receiver noise
KW - multi-level parameter estimation (MLPE)
KW - parameter estimation
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031743498
U2 - 10.1007/978-3-032-13852-1_16
DO - 10.1007/978-3-032-13852-1_16
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:105031743498
SN - 9783032138514
T3 - Communications in Computer and Information Science
SP - 146
EP - 156
BT - Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services - 1st International Conference, QUEST-IS 2025, Proceedings
A2 - Barbaresco, Frédéric
A2 - François, Gerin
PB - Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
T2 - 1st International Conference on Quantum Engineering Sciences and Technologies for Industry and Services, QUEST-IS 2025
Y2 - 1 December 2025 through 4 December 2025
ER -