Machine Learning-Assisted Measurement Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution on Reference Frame Calibration

In most of the realistic measurement device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) systems, efficient, real-time feedback controls are required to maintain system stability when facing disturbance from either external environment or imperfect internal components. Traditionally, people either use a “scanning-and-transmitting” program or insert an extra device to make a phase reference frame calibration for a stable high-visibility interference, resulting in higher system complexity and lower transmission efficiency. In this work, we build a machine learning-assisted MDI-QKD system, where a machine learning model—the long short-term memory (LSTM) network—is for the first time to apply onto the MDI-QKD system for reference frame calibrations. In this machine learning-assisted MDI-QKD system, one can predict out the phase drift between the two users in advance, and actively perform real-time phase compensations, dramatically increasing the key transmission efficiency. Furthermore, we carry out corresponding experimental demonstration over 100 km and 250 km commercial standard single-mode fibers, verifying the effectiveness of the approach