Free-space quantum key distribution with entangled photons

Abstract: We report on a complete experimental implementation of a quantum key distribution protocol through a free space link using polarization-entangled photon pairs from a compact parametric down-conversion source. Over 10 hours of uninterrupted communication between sites 1.5 km apart, we observe average key generation rates of 630 per second after error correction and privacy amplification. Our scheme requires no specific hardware channel for synchronization apart from a classical wireless link, and no explicit random number generator.