Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2106.13693 · IEEE Communications Letters

Temporal Modes of Light in Satellite-to-Earth Quantum Communications

Ziqing Wang, Robert Malaney, Ryan Aguinaldo

Published Nov 25, 2021• 11 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The photonic Temporal Mode (TM) represents a possible candidate for the delivery of viable multidimensional quantum communications. However, relative to other multidimensional quantum information carriers such as the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM), the TM has received less attention. Moreover, in the context of the emerging quantum internet and satellite-based quantum communications, the TM has received no attention. In this work, we remedy this situation by considering the traversal through the satellite-to-Earth channel of single photons encoded in TM space. Our results indicate that for anticipated atmospheric conditions the photonic TM offers a promising avenue for the delivery of high-throughput quantum communications from a satellite to a terrestrial receiver. In particular, we show how these modes can provide for improved multiplexing performance and superior quantum key distribution in the satellite-to-Earth channel, relative to OAM single-photon states. The levels of TM discrimination that guarantee this outcome are outlined and implications of our results for the emerging satellite-based quantum internet are discussed.

DOI
10.1109/lcomm.2021.3130895

Related papers

Satellite-Based Entanglement Distribution using Orbital Angular Momentum of Light

Ziqing Wang, Robert Malaney, Jonathan Green

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light has been considered as a useful degree of freedom for high-capacity quantum communications. However, the practical usage of OAM within the atmospheric channel is known to be limited by turbulence-induced decoherence effects. In this work, we study the feasibility of utilizing the OAM of light in satellite-based entanglement distribution. In order to determine whether OAM entanglement could be distributed within the context of satellite-based quantum communications, we study the quantum state evolution of a pair of OAM-entangled photons that traverse independent and identically distributed satellite-to-ground atmospheric channels. Our calculations indicate the performance levels that any post-selection, or distillation, scheme must have in order to achieve useful OAM entanglement distribution via a low-Earth-orbit satellite.

IEEE International Conference on Communications workshops•Jun 1, 2020•11 citations

Detecting Orbital Angular Momentum of Light in Satellite-to-Ground Quantum Communications

Ziqing Wang, Robert Malaney, Jonathan Green

Satellite-based quantum communications enable a bright future for global-scale information security. However, the spin angular momentum of light, currently used in many mainstream quantum communication systems, only allows for quantum encoding in a two-dimensional Hilbert space. The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light, on the other hand, enables quantum encoding in higher-dimensional Hilbert spaces, opening up new opportunities for high-capacity quantum communications. Due to its turbulence-induced decoherence effects, however, the atmospheric channel may limit the practical usage of OAM. In order to determine whether OAM is useful for satellite-based quantum communications, we numerically investigate the detection likelihoods for OAM states that traverse satellite-to-ground channels. We show that the use of OAM through such channels is in fact feasible. We use our new results to then investigate design specifications that could improve OAM detection - particularly the use of advanced adaptive optics techniques. Finally, we discuss how our work provides new insights into future implementations of space-based OAM systems within the context of quantum communications.

arXiv:1905.01834•Globecom•Dec 1, 2019•10 citations

Satellite-To-Earth Quantum Key Distribution via Orbital Angular Momentum

Ziqing Wang, Robert Malaney, Benjamin A. Burnett

In this work, we explore the feasibility of performing satellite-to-earth quantum key distribution (QKD) using the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light. Because of the fragility of OAM states the conventional wisdom is that turbulence would render OAM QKD nonviable in a satellite-to-earth channel. However, based on detailed phase screen simulations of the anticipated atmospheric turbulence we find that OAM QKD is viable in some system configurations, especially if quantum channel information is utilized in the processing of postselected states. More specifically, using classically entangled light as a probe of the quantum channel, and reasonably sized transmitter-receiver apertures, we find that nonzero QKD key rates are achievable on sea-level ground stations. We also determine the turbulence conditions under which the QKD key rate becomes effectively zero. Without using classical light probes, OAM QKD is relegated to high-altitude ground stations with large receiver apertures. Our work uses a quantitative assessment of the performance of OAM QKD from satellites to determine under what circumstances the much-touted higher dimensionality of OAM can be utilized in the context of secure communications.

arXiv:2007.07748•Physical Review Applied•Dec 9, 2020•59 citations

Satellite-to-Ground Multi-dimensional Quantum Teleportation via Orbital Angular Momentum

Ziqing Wang, Robert Malaney, Ryan Aguinaldo

Quantum information transfer via high-dimensional encoding offers many potential advantages relative to the widely adopted two-dimensional encoding scenario. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of performing satellite-to-ground quantum entanglement distribution using photonic high-dimensional encoding. Specifically, we consider pairs of photons entangled in the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) discrete-variable bases. Through detailed simulations of the anticipated satellite-to-ground channel, we first investigate the performance of OAM entanglement distribution of varying dimensions. We then consider an application of such OAM distributed entanglement, namely, high-dimensional OAM quantum teleportation. Our work outlines, for the first time, the range of channel conditions and system configurations under which high-dimensional quantum teleportation via OAM encoding in the satellite-to-ground channel is possible.

IEEE International Conference on Communications workshops•May 16, 2022•2 citations

Performance analysis of inter-satellite round-robin differential-phase-shift quantum key distribution

Ziqing Wang, Robert Malaney

Abstract As the vision of global-scale unconditional information security becomes gradually realized, the importance of inter-satellite quantum communications has been rapidly increasing. The recently proposed round-robin differential-phase-shift (RRDPS) quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol has attracted much attention not only due to its potential high error tolerance, but also due to its distinct feature that the information leakage can be bounded without monitoring signal disturbances. Despite many existing implementations over fiber-optic channels, the feasibility of RRDPS QKD over an inter-satellite channel is still unknown. Moreover, despite the current advances in orbital angular momentum (OAM) encoding and temporal mode (TM) encoding, most of the existing studies on RRDPS QKD are restricted to time-bin encoding. In this work, we remedy this situation by exploring the feasibility of performing RRDPS QKD using OAM encoding and TM encoding over an inter-satellite channel. Our results indicate that OAM encoding is preferable to time-bin encoding only under the circumstances where a low dimension and a large receiver aperture are used. However, we find that TM encoding is the best encoding scheme in RRDPS QKD over an inter-satellite channel. In particular, we show that TM encoding not only leads to the best performance and the largest feasible parameter range, but also, for the first time, enables all the theoretically available advantages of an increased dimension to be realized in the context of RRDPS QKD.

Quantum Information Processing•Sep 26, 2022•3 citations

Quantum Communications via Satellite with Photon Subtraction

Mingjian He, Robert Malaney, Jonathan Green

Non-Gaussian continuous-variable quantum states represent a pivotal resource in many quantum information protocols. Production of such states can occur through photonic subtraction processes either at the transmitter side prior to sending a state through the channel, or at the receiver side on receipt of a state that has traversed the channel. In the context of quantum protocols implemented over communication channels to and from Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites it is unclear what photonic subtraction set-up will provide for the best performance. In this work we show that for a popular version of continuous-variable Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) between terrestrial stations and LEO satellites, photon subtraction at the transmitter side is the preferred set-up. Such a result is opposite to that found for fiber-based implementations. Our results have implications for all future space-based missions that seek to take advantage of the opportunities offered by non-Gaussian quantum states.

arXiv:1806.00924•IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps)•Dec 1, 2018•13 citations
The photonic Temporal Mode (TM) represents a possible candidate for the delivery of viable multidimensional quantum communications. However, relative to other multidimensional quantum information carriers such as the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM), the TM has received less attention. Moreover, in the context of the emerging quantum internet and satellite-based quantum communications, the TM has received no attention. In this work, we remedy this situation by considering the traversal through the satellite-to-Earth channel of single photons encoded in TM space. Our results indicate that for anticipated atmospheric conditions the photonic TM offers a promising avenue for the delivery of high-throughput quantum communications from a satellite to a terrestrial receiver. In particular, we show how these modes can provide for improved multiplexing performance and superior quantum key distribution in the satellite-to-Earth channel, relative to OAM single-photon states. The levels of TM discrimination that guarantee this outcome are outlined and implications of our results for the emerging satellite-based quantum internet are discussed.
Orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light has been considered as a useful degree of freedom for high-capacity quantum communications. However, the practical usage of OAM within the atmospheric channel is known to be limited by turbulence-induced decoherence effects. In this work, we study the feasibility of utilizing the OAM of light in satellite-based entanglement distribution. In order to determine whether OAM entanglement could be distributed within the context of satellite-based quantum communications, we study the quantum state evolution of a pair of OAM-entangled photons that traverse independent and identically distributed satellite-to-ground atmospheric channels. Our calculations indicate the performance levels that any post-selection, or distillation, scheme must have in order to achieve useful OAM entanglement distribution via a low-Earth-orbit satellite.
Satellite-based quantum communications enable a bright future for global-scale information security. However, the spin angular momentum of light, currently used in many mainstream quantum communication systems, only allows for quantum encoding in a two-dimensional Hilbert space. The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light, on the other hand, enables quantum encoding in higher-dimensional Hilbert spaces, opening up new opportunities for high-capacity quantum communications. Due to its turbulence-induced decoherence effects, however, the atmospheric channel may limit the practical usage of OAM. In order to determine whether OAM is useful for satellite-based quantum communications, we numerically investigate the detection likelihoods for OAM states that traverse satellite-to-ground channels. We show that the use of OAM through such channels is in fact feasible. We use our new results to then investigate design specifications that could improve OAM detection - particularly the use of advanced adaptive optics techniques. Finally, we discuss how our work provides new insights into future implementations of space-based OAM systems within the context of quantum communications.
In this work, we explore the feasibility of performing satellite-to-earth quantum key distribution (QKD) using the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light. Because of the fragility of OAM states the conventional wisdom is that turbulence would render OAM QKD nonviable in a satellite-to-earth channel. However, based on detailed phase screen simulations of the anticipated atmospheric turbulence we find that OAM QKD is viable in some system configurations, especially if quantum channel information is utilized in the processing of postselected states. More specifically, using classically entangled light as a probe of the quantum channel, and reasonably sized transmitter-receiver apertures, we find that nonzero QKD key rates are achievable on sea-level ground stations. We also determine the turbulence conditions under which the QKD key rate becomes effectively zero. Without using classical light probes, OAM QKD is relegated to high-altitude ground stations with large receiver apertures. Our work uses a quantitative assessment of the performance of OAM QKD from satellites to determine under what circumstances the much-touted higher dimensionality of OAM can be utilized in the context of secure communications.
Quantum information transfer via high-dimensional encoding offers many potential advantages relative to the widely adopted two-dimensional encoding scenario. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of performing satellite-to-ground quantum entanglement distribution using photonic high-dimensional encoding. Specifically, we consider pairs of photons entangled in the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) discrete-variable bases. Through detailed simulations of the anticipated satellite-to-ground channel, we first investigate the performance of OAM entanglement distribution of varying dimensions. We then consider an application of such OAM distributed entanglement, namely, high-dimensional OAM quantum teleportation. Our work outlines, for the first time, the range of channel conditions and system configurations under which high-dimensional quantum teleportation via OAM encoding in the satellite-to-ground channel is possible.
Abstract As the vision of global-scale unconditional information security becomes gradually realized, the importance of inter-satellite quantum communications has been rapidly increasing. The recently proposed round-robin differential-phase-shift (RRDPS) quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol has attracted much attention not only due to its potential high error tolerance, but also due to its distinct feature that the information leakage can be bounded without monitoring signal disturbances. Despite many existing implementations over fiber-optic channels, the feasibility of RRDPS QKD over an inter-satellite channel is still unknown. Moreover, despite the current advances in orbital angular momentum (OAM) encoding and temporal mode (TM) encoding, most of the existing studies on RRDPS QKD are restricted to time-bin encoding. In this work, we remedy this situation by exploring the feasibility of performing RRDPS QKD using OAM encoding and TM encoding over an inter-satellite channel. Our results indicate that OAM encoding is preferable to time-bin encoding only under the circumstances where a low dimension and a large receiver aperture are used. However, we find that TM encoding is the best encoding scheme in RRDPS QKD over an inter-satellite channel. In particular, we show that TM encoding not only leads to the best performance and the largest feasible parameter range, but also, for the first time, enables all the theoretically available advantages of an increased dimension to be realized in the context of RRDPS QKD.
Non-Gaussian continuous-variable quantum states represent a pivotal resource in many quantum information protocols. Production of such states can occur through photonic subtraction processes either at the transmitter side prior to sending a state through the channel, or at the receiver side on receipt of a state that has traversed the channel. In the context of quantum protocols implemented over communication channels to and from Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites it is unclear what photonic subtraction set-up will provide for the best performance. In this work we show that for a popular version of continuous-variable Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) between terrestrial stations and LEO satellites, photon subtraction at the transmitter side is the preferred set-up. Such a result is opposite to that found for fiber-based implementations. Our results have implications for all future space-based missions that seek to take advantage of the opportunities offered by non-Gaussian quantum states.