The team led by Academician Guo Guangcan from our university has achieved a significant breakthrough in the realm of practical quantum key distribution. Comprising team members Han Zhengfu, Chen Wei, Yin Zhenqiang, and Wang Shuang, they collaborated closely with Li Qiong's team from the Harbin Institute of Technology. Together, they successfully navigated the challenges of reconciling quantum state preparation with single-photon detection technologies, which had previously been mutually restrictive in the quest for high-speed, high signal-to-noise ratio, and highly integrated systems.

For the first time, they employed semiconductor single-photon detectors, setting a new benchmark for secure key rates under superconducting detection systems. This achievement not only represents a record-breaking feat but also paves the way for the development of high-performance, practical quantum key distribution devices. The related research findings have been published in a paper titled "High-rate quantum key distribution with compact state preparation and detection," marking a significant milestone in the field.