Quantum Communication Using Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Worldwide, enormous efforts are directed toward the development of the so-called quantum internet. Turning this long-sought-after dream into reality is a great challenge that will require breakthroughs in quantum communication and computing. To establish a global, quantum-secured communication infrastructure, photonic quantum technologies will doubtlessly play a major role, by providing and interfacing essential quantum resources, for example, flying- and stationary qubits or quantum memories. Over the last decade, significant progress has been made in the engineering of on-demand quantum light sources based on semiconductor quantum dots, which enable the generation of close-to-ideal single- and entangled-photon states, useful for applications in quantum information processing. This review focuses on implementations of, and building blocks for, quantum communication using quantum-light sources based on epitaxial semiconductor quantum dots. After reviewing the main notions of quantum communication and introducing the devices used for single-photon and entangled-photon generation, an overview of experimental implementations of quantum key distribution protocols using quantum dot based quantum light sources is provided. Furthermore, recent progress toward quantum-secured communication networks as well as building blocks thereof is summarized. The article closes with an outlook, discussing future perspectives in the field and identifying the main challenges to be solved.