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Optics Express

Influence of satellite motion on polarization qubits in a Space-Earth quantum communication link

Cristian Bonato, Markus Aspelmeyer, Thomas D. Jennewein, Claudio Pernechele, Paolo Villoresi, Anton Zeilinger

Published Jan 1, 2006• 62 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In a Space quantum-cryptography experiment a satellite pointing system is needed to send single photons emitted by the source on the satellite to the polarization analysis apparatus on Earth. In this paper a simulation is presented regarding how the satellite pointing systems affect the polarization state of the single photons, to help designing a proper compensation system.

DOI
10.1364/oe.14.010050

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•Aug 27, 2018•1 citation
In a Space quantum-cryptography experiment a satellite pointing system is needed to send single photons emitted by the source on the satellite to the polarization analysis apparatus on Earth. In this paper a simulation is presented regarding how the satellite pointing systems affect the polarization state of the single photons, to help designing a proper compensation system.
A general model in satellite-to-ground quantum communication is proposed by investigating the effect of a laser acquisition, pointing, and tracking (APT) system on the polarization state of single photons. The eccentricity of the general model ranges from 0 to 1, which means that a circular orbit can be introduced reasonably. Moreover, the geocentric-equatorial coordinate system, which can utilize the two-line elements, is used in the general model. Two kinds of simulations are performed, and we found that the rotations of polarization state are obviously influenced by the APT system. Our model could be applied in a realistic satellite-to-ground quantum communication system.
Real global-scale quantum communications and quantum key distribution systems cannot be implemented by the current fiber and free-space links. These links have high attenuation, low polarization-preserving capability or extreme sensitivity to the environment. A potential solution to the problem is the space-earth quantum channels. These channels have no absorption since the signal states are propagated in empty space, however a small fraction of these channels is in the atmosphere, which causes slight depolarizing effect. Furthermore, the relative motion of the ground station and the satellite causes a rotation in the polarization of the quantum states. In the current approaches to compensate for these types of polarization errors, high computational costs and extra physical apparatuses are required. Here we introduce a novel approach which breaks with the traditional views of currently developed quantum-error correction schemes. The proposed solution can be applied to fix the polarization errors which are critical in space-earth quantum communication systems. The channel coding scheme provides capacity-achieving communication over slightly depolarizing space-earth channels.
Optical quantum communication utilizing satellite platforms has the potential to extend the reach of quantum key distribution (QKD) from terrestrial limits of ∼200 km to global scales. We have developed a thorough numerical simulation using realistic simulated orbits and incorporating the effects of pointing error, diffraction, atmosphere and telescope design, to obtain estimates of the loss and background noise which a satellite-based system would experience. Combining with quantum optics simulations of sources and detection, we determine the length of secure key for QKD, as well as entanglement visibility and achievable distances for fundamental experiments. We analyse the performance of a low Earth orbit satellite for downlink and uplink scenarios of the quantum optical signals. We argue that the advantages of locating the quantum source on the ground justify a greater scientific interest in an uplink as compared to a downlink. An uplink with a ground transmitter of at least 25 cm diameter and a 30 cm receiver telescope on the satellite could be used to successfully perform QKD multiple times per week with either an entangled photon source or with a weak coherent pulse source, as well as perform long-distance Bell tests and quantum teleportation. Our model helps to resolve important design considerations such as operating wavelength, type and specifications of sources and detectors, telescope designs, specific orbits and ground station locations, in view of anticipated overall system performance.
Free-space quantum key distribution has recently achieved several milestones, such as \nthe launch and results of the first quantum satellite, Micius. The emergence of quantum satellites has certainly made progress towards the realization of a global quantum cryptographic network. In this thesis, two challenges in the development of an optical quantum ground station \nfor a free-space quantum satellite link are studied. The first is the development of a high brightness, fiber pigtailed waveguide that is to be used as a polarization entangled photon source. The high pair production rate is required in order to meet the requirements for a satellite up-link configuration. The portability, robustness and ease of alignment were motivations for choosing a fiber pigtailed source. Certain challenges that are fundamental to the source design were characterized and several solutions to these challenges were investigated. The other main investigation in this thesis, is the development of a passive polarization \ncompensation using polarization maintaining fibers. The birefringence in standard single mode optical fibers causes random polarization rotations to the light passing through the fiber. Polarization maintaining fibers, though very high in birefringence, are used with entangled photons and techniques from reference frame independent quantum key distribution protocols are shown to compensate for random polarization rotations while preserving the entanglement. In addition, the feasibility of the protocol using the polarization maintaining fibers is investigated. \nThrough various studies, experiments, and component design, the feasibility of a pigtailed waveguide entangled photon source has been shown to need further investigation, while the feasibility of implementing polarization maintaining fibers to the ground station has been shown to be effective. It is particularly effective as a passive polarization compensation system that uses entanglement, however a similar concept is effective for non-entangled single photons. This work contributes to a long line of achievements leading towards satellite implementations of quantum key distribution for an eventual global quantum cryptographic network.