Complete System Integration of Chip-Based Quantum Key Distribution Devices

Solutions for a practical, wide-scale deployment of quantum secure communication devices have long been awaited for. Recent reports of quantum key distribution (QKD) chips, yet promising, were restricted to proof-of-concepts of individual components. We now demonstrate a complete QKD system, entirely based on photonic chips and distributing quantum secure encryption keys at high bit rate. This establishes photonic integration as a viable solution for a low-cost, scalable deployment of QKD.