We successfully exchanged secure cryptographic keys in a fiber-based field test of quantum key distribution in the metropolitan Florence area.
In a collaboration with researchers from Lens (Florence), Inrim (Turin), and the Technical University of Denmark, we tested a quantum communication system using an optical fiber installed in the metropolitan area of Florence as the transmission channel. The test was carried out on a portion of the Italian fiber optic backbone running for approximately 1800 km from Turin to Matera. Our experiment constitutes the initial step towards the realization of the Italian quantum backbone, which will guarantee user privacy and data security regardless of any possible future cyber-attack.
More info and technical details can be found in this EPJ Quantum Technology paper.
