Prospects of CV-QKD systems limited by commercial telecom equipment

Fast and reliable telecom components could potentially speed up quantum communication of continuous variable (CV) quantum states. These quantum states are generated by a (strong) attenuation of typical telecom signals and are therefore determined by the methods and technological limitations of generation and measurement of the latter. Simulation is an important step in identifying key parameters that are critical for changing the operation mode from the classical to the quantum regime. Moreover, only detailed considerations of the overall system design including the reconciliation phase during post-processing will generate conclusive outcomes on the required system components. Specifically, the stringent quantum-technical requirements on the optical system and the electronics for electric-optical conversion shift the selection of components not towards current high-speed telecom ones but to specific high-quality components that are characterized by high resolution and low-noise.