Optimal pair-generation rate for entanglement-based quantum key distribution

In entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD), the generation and detection of multi-photon modes leads to a trade-off between entanglement visibility and two-fold coincidence events when maximizing the secure key rate (SKR). We produce a predictive model for the optimal two-fold coincidence probability per coincidence window given the channel efficiency and detector dark count rate of a given system. This model is experimentally validated and used in simulations for QKD with satellites as well as optical fibers.