Quantum key distribution (QKD) can provide unconditional security based on the fundamental laws of quantum physics. Unfortunately, real-life implementations of a QKD system may contain overlooked imperfections and thus violate the practical security of QKD. It is vital to explore these imperfections. In this thesis, I study two practical imperfections in QKD: i) Discovering security loophole in a commercial QKD system: I perform a proof-of-principle experiment to demonstrate a technically feasible quantum attack on top of a commercial QKD system. The attack I utilize is called phase-remapping attack. ii) Generating high-speed truly random numbers: I propose and experimentally demonstrate an ultrafast QRNG at a rate over 6 Gb/s, which is based on the quantum phase fluctuations of a laser. Moreover, I consider a potential adversary who has partial knowledge of the raw data and discuss how one can rigorously remove such partial knowledge with post-processing.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) can provide unconditional security based on the fundamental laws of quantum physics. Unfortunately, real-life implementations of a QKD system may contain overlooked imperfections and thus violate the practical security of QKD. It is vital to explore these imperfections. In this thesis, I study two practical imperfections in QKD: i) Discovering security loophole in a commercial QKD system: I perform a proof-of-principle experiment to demonstrate a technically feasible quantum attack on top of a commercial QKD system. The attack I utilize is called phase-remapping attack. ii) Generating high-speed truly random numbers: I propose and experimentally demonstrate an ultrafast QRNG at a rate over 6 Gb/s, which is based on the quantum phase fluctuations of a laser. Moreover, I consider a potential adversary who has partial knowledge of the raw data and discuss how one can rigorously remove such partial knowledge with post-processing.

In this paper we perform a statistical analysis of dark counts in superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) with the end goal of creating a quantum random number generator (QRNG) using these dark counts. We confirm that dark counts are Poissonian for low bias currents and that no afterpulsing is present. However, we also show that an increase in bias current causes the dark counts to violate the independence assumption. For the non-Poissonian dark counts we identify three seemingly similar effects and confirm that: (i) a single event is at times regarded as two by the flat-threshold discriminator in the time-tagging device; (ii) a reflection in the readout circuit incites a second detection event shortly after the arrival of a first one, creating a conditionality between dark counts; (iii) a damped oscillation in the effective bias current immediately after a detection event shows itself in the inter-arrival time probability distribution. Finally, we present and evaluate a method for generating random numbers using the Poissonian dark counts as an entropy source with promising results.

As one of the more mature quantum technologies, quantum random number generators (QRNGs) fill an important role in producing secure and private keys for use in cryptogra- phy in e.g. quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. Many available QRNGs are expen- sive and optical QRNGs often require complex optical setups. If a reliable QRNG could be implemented using less expensive components they could become more widespread and be used in common applications like encryption and simulation. Shot noise is a possible entropy source for these kinds of random number generators. For such a generator to be classified as a QRNG the origin of the shot noise must be controlled and verifiable. This project aims to investigate how an entropy source could be implemented using the shot noise generated by an illuminated photodiode. This requires the design and construction of the accompanying electro-optical front-end used to prepare a signal for sampling. The successful estimation of the electron charge e is used as a way to verify that shot noise is present in the sampled signal. Suitable component values and operating points are also in- vestigated and it is shown that quite low gain (10 000) is suitable for the current-to-voltage amplifier which amplifies the signal generated by the photodiode. For this configuration an estimate of e was achieved with a relative error of 3%. In conclusion this is a promising and interesting approach for generating random numbers at high rates and at low cost. Whether the correct estimation of e is enough to certify that the device is sampling noise from the quantum regime is however not completely clear and further investigation is likely needed.

In dieser Doktorarbeit werden zwei Konzepte der Quanteninformationsverarbeitung realisiert. Der Quantenschlüsselaustausch ist revolutionär, weil er perfekte Sicherheit gewährleistet. Zahlreiche Quantenkryptografieprotokolle wurden schon untersucht. Zwei Probleme bestehen. Zum einen ist es sehr schwer, die Bedingungen herzustellen, die in den Annahmen für perfekte Sicherheit impliziert sind. Zum anderen sind die Reichweiten auf momentan etwa 200 km begrenzt, aufgrund des abnehmenden Signals gegenüber des konstanten Rauschens. Ein Experiment dieser Doktorarbeit beschäftigt sich mit dem ersten Problem. Insbesondere der übertragene Quantenzustands ist kritisch für die Sicherheit des Verfahrens. Es werden Einzelphotonen von Stickstoff- Fehlstellen-Zentren und zum ersten Mal von Silizium-Fehlstellen-Zentren für einen Quantenschlüsselaustausch mit Hilfe des BB84-Protokolls benutzt. Die Abweichung von idealen Einzelphotonenzuständen sowie deren Bedeutung für die Sicherheit werden analysiert. Die Übertragung von Quantenzuständen via Satellit könnte das Problem der begrenzten Reichweite lösen. Das neue Frequenz-Zeit- Protokoll eignet sich dafür besonders gut. Es wird während dieser Arbeit zum ersten Mal überhaupt implementiert. Umfangreiche Untersuchungen inklusive der Variation wesentlicher experimenteller Parameter geben Aufschluss über die Leistungsfähigkeit und Sicherheit des Protokolls. Außerdem werden elementare Bestandteile eines vollautomatischen Experiments zum Quantenschlüsselaustausch über Glasfasern in der sogenannten Time-bin-Implementierung mit autonomem Sender und Empfänger realisiert. Ein anderes Konzept der Quanteninformationsverarbeitung ist die Herstellung zufälliger Bitfolgen durch den Quantenzufall. Zufällige Bitfolgen haben zahlreiche Anwendungsgebiete in der Kryptografie und der Informatik. Die Realisierung eines Quantenzufallszahlengenerators mit mathematisch beschreibbarer und getesteter Zufälligkeit und hoher Bitrate wird ebenfalls beschrieben. / In this thesis, photonic quantum states are used for experimental realisations of two different concepts of quantum information processing. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is revolutionary because it is the only cryptographic scheme offering unconditional security. Two major problems prevail: Firstly, matching the conditions for unconditional security is challenging, secondly, long distance communication beyond 200 km is very demanding because an increasingly attenuated quantum state starts to fail the competition with constant noise. One experiment accomplished in this thesis is concerned with the first problem. The realisation of the actual quantum state is critical. Single photon states from nitrogen and for the first time also silicon vacancy defect centres are used for a QKD transmission under the BB84 (Bennett and Brassard 1984). The deviation of the used single photon states from the ideal state is thoroughly investigated and the information an eavesdropper obtains due to this deviation is analysed. Transmitting quantum states via satellites is a potential solution to the limited achievable distances in QKD. A novel protocol particularly suited for this is implemented for the first time in this thesis, the frequency-time (FT) protocol. The protocol is thoroughly investigated by varying the experimental parameters over a wide range and by evaluating the impact on the performance and the security. Finally, big steps towards a fully automated fibre-based BB84 QKD experiment in the time-bin implementation with autonomous sender and receiver units are accomplished. Another important concept using quantum mechanical properties as a resource is a quantum random number generator (QRNG). Random numbers are used for various applications in computing and cryptography. A QRNG supplying bits with high and quantifiable randomness at a record-breaking rate is reported and the statistical properties of the random output is thoroughly tested.

With the growing need for secure and high-capacity communications, innovative solutions are needed to meet the demands of tomorrow. One such innovation is to make use of the still unutilized spatial dimension of light in communications, which has promising applications in both enabling higher data traffic as well as the security protocols of the future in quantum communications. The perhaps most promising way of realizing this technology is through spatial division multiplexing (SDM) in optical fibers. There are many challenges and open questions in implementing this, such as how perturbations to the signal should be kept under control and which type of optical fiber to use. Consequently, this thesis focuses on the implementation of SDM in few-mode fibers where the perturbation effects on the spatial distribution have been investigated. Following this investigation, an implementation of adaptive spatial mode control using a motorized polarization controller has been implemented. The mode control has been done with the focus on having relevance for quantum technology applications such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and quantum random number generation (QRNG) but also for spatial division multiplexing (SDM) for general communications. For this reason, two evaluation metrics have been optimized for: extinction ratio and equal amplitude. The control algorithm used is an adaptation of the optimization algorithm Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent (SPGD). Control has been achieved in stabilizing the extinction ratio of LP11a and LP11b over 12 hours with an average extinction ratio of 98 %. Additionally, equal amplitude between LP11a and LP11b has been achieved over 1 hour with an average relative difference of 0.42 % and 0.45 %. Out of the perturbation effects investigated; temperature caused large disturbances to the signal which later is corrected for with the implemented algorithm.