Participant :
Thierry Gacoin
DOI : 10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.187901
ABSTRACT : We report the full implementation of a quantum cryptography protocol using a stream of single photon pulses generated by a stable and efficient source operating at room temperature. The single photon pulses are emitted on demand by a single nitrogen-vacancy color center in a diamond nanocrystal. The quantum bit error rate is less that 4:6% and the secure bit rate is 7700 bits=s. The overall performances of our system reaches a domain where single photons have a measurable advantage over an equivalent system based on attenuated light pulses.
