Quantum state transferring has been demonstrated using drones via entanglement distribution. Here we demonstrate the first drone-based quantum task, for quantum key distribution (QKD). Compact and polarization-maintaining acquisition, pointing, and tracking system and QKD modules are developed and loaded on a home-made octocopter, within takeoff weight of 30 kg. Real-time QKD is performed over 200 m distance with 8.48 kHz average secret key rate, using polarization-coded decoy-state BB84 protocol. With the capability of secret key distribution using a drone, wireless communication can be expected with enhanced security in the quantum approach, between mobile nodes towards a network.
@article{arxiv.2302.14012,
title = {Experimental demonstration of drone-based quantum key distribution},
author = {Xiao-Hui Tian and Ran Yang and Hua-Ying Liu and Pengfei Fan and Ji-Ning Zhang and Changsheng Gu and Mengwen Chen and Mingzhe Hu and Feng-Yu Lu and Zhen-Qiang Yin and Zhi-Jun Yin and Mo Yuan and Shuang Wang and Wei Chen and Yan-Xiao Gong and Shi-Ning Zhu and Zhenda Xie},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2302.14012},
year = {2025}
}