“Plug and play” quantum key distribution system with differential phase shift

Abstract

We propose a “plug and play” scheme for the long-distance fiber-based cryptosystem based on the differential phase shift quantum key distribution, where any birefringence effects and polarization-dependent losses in the transmission fiber are automatically compensated by using a Faraday mirror. This system not only has stable performance but also creates keys 8/3 times more efficiently than the conventional cryptosystem based on the BB84 protocol.