Finding and breaking the realistic rate-distance limit of continuous variable quantum key distribution

In this work, the rate-distance limit of continuous variable quantum key distribution is studied. We find that the excess noise generated on Bobs side and the method for calculating the excess noise restrict the rate-distance limit. Then, a realistic rate-distance limit is found. To break the realistic limit, a method for calculating the secret key rate using pure excess noise is proposed. The improvement in the rate-distance limit due to a higher reconciliation efficiency is analyzed. It is found that this improvement is dependent on the excess noise. From a finite-size analysis, the monotonicity of the Holevo bound versus the transmission efficiency is studied, and a tighter rate-distance limit is presented.