近日，北京大学王剑威团队提出了集成光子的大规模量子通信网络。该项研究成果发表在2026年2月11日出版的《自然》杂志上。

量子密钥分发利用量子力学原理，可实现可证明安全的通信。然而，构建覆盖长距离、服务众多客户端的大规模QKD网络始终面临重大挑战。尽管量子中继仍存在实际困难，现有可信节点网络、点对多点网络及波分复用纠缠网络均面临信赖中介依赖或传输距离受限等问题。双场量子密钥分发提供了一种极具潜力的架构，既能克服上述难题，又可提升通信距离。尽管远距离点对点TF-QKD已获实现，但构建大规模网络仍需可扩展的量子器件。

研究组报道了一种基于集成光子学的TF-QKD网络原理验证演示，该网络具备卓越的可扩展性与可靠性。此网络包含20个独立的客户端QKD发射芯片与一个服务器端光学微梳芯片。微梳产生覆盖宽频谱、赫兹级线宽的超低噪声相干频率梳，为所有客户端芯片提供种子光源与频率基准。各客户端芯片再生与微梳锁相的超低噪声光场，并制备量子密钥。

研究组通过十个波分复用信道，在20个客户端芯片间依次实现成对QKD，每对在370公里缠绕光纤中的传输距离均超越无中继界，实现了3700公里的组网能力（客户端对数×通信距离）。研究组还进一步展示了服务器端微梳芯片与客户端QKD发射芯片的晶圆级可重复性，共同奠定了系统级可扩展性的基础。将集成光子学的规模化制造、成本效益与高可扩展性，同远距离量子通信相结合，为构建大规模量子网络开辟了可行路径。

附：英文原文

Title: Large-scale quantum communication networks with integrated photonics

Author: Zheng, Yun, Wang, Hanyu, Jia, Xinyu, Huang, Jiahui, Yuan, Huihong, Zhai, Chonghao, Dai, Junhao, Shi, Jingbo, Zhang, Lei, Zhang, Xuguang, Zhuang, Minxue, Liu, Jinchang, Mao, Jun, Dai, Tianxiang, Fu, Zhaorong, Jiao, Yuqing, Shi, Yaocheng, Dai, Daoxin, Wang, Xingjun, Li, Yan, Gong, Qihuang, Yuan, Zhiliang, Chang, Lin, Wang, Jianwei

Issue&Volume: 2026-02-11

Abstract: Quantum key distribution (QKD) makes use of the principles of quantum mechanics to enable provably secure communication1,2. One substantial challenge persists in building large-scale QKD networks with many clients over long communication distances3. Although quantum relays continue to pose practical difficulties4, existing trusted-node networks5,6,7,8,9, point-to-multipoint networks10,11 and wavelength-multiplexed entanglement networks12,13 encounter issues such as reliance on trusted intermediaries or limited distances. Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) provides a compelling architecture that can overcome those issues while enhancing communication distance14. Although long-distance point-to-point TF-QKD has been achieved15,16,17,18,19,20,21, realizing large-scale networks requires scalable quantum devices. Here we report a proof-of-principle demonstration of an integrated-photonics TF-QKD network with exceptional scalability and reliability. This network includes 20 independent client-side QKD transmitter chips with one server-side optical microcomb chip. The microcomb generates a broad range of ultralow-noise coherent frequency combs with Hz-level linewidths, which serve as seeds and references for all client chips. Each client chip regenerates ultralow-noise light phase-locked to microcombs and prepares quantum keys. We sequentially implement pairwise QKD across 20 client chips through ten wavelength-multiplexed channels, with each surpassing the repeaterless bound at 370km in spooled fibre, achieving a networking capability (client pairs×communication distance) of 3,700km. We further demonstrate the wafer-scale reproducibility of both server-side microcomb chips and client-side QKD transmitter chips, together establishing system-level scalability. Combining mass-manufacturability, cost-effectiveness and high scalability of integrated photonics with long-distance quantum communication represents a viable path to large-scale quantum networks.

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-10152-z

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10152-z