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Journal of Optics

A novel method of retrieving the polarization qubits after being transmitted in turbid media

Qiang Xu, Zhongyi Guo, Qiangqiang Tao, Weiyan Jiao, Shiliang Qu, Jun Gao

Published Feb 13, 2015• 26 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper, we have mainly investigated the reconstruction of the polarization states of the incident light which passed through the turbid atmospheric media. Here, a novel polarization retrieve (PR) method is established using a Monte Carlo simulation algorithm, which is proposed to study the influence of particle scattering. The polarization states of the initial field could be retrieved accurately according to the polarization states of the scattered field and the Mueller matrix. In the case of a single homogeneous medium, the mean error of retrieved polarization is close to zero. We have also applied this method to complex atmospheric environments such as random-sized distribution particles and various index of refraction media. By comparison with the existing polarization maintaining method, the results indicate that the PR method is more applicable to disordered media with relatively larger particles. Moreover, the errors of the retrieved degree of polarization are below 0.11%, and the errors of the retrieved angle of polarization are below 0.54% in our mixed media model. So, this work will be very significant for polarizing quantum secure communication in scattering medium over a long-distance scope.

DOI
10.1088/2040-8978/17/3/035606

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In this paper, we have mainly investigated the reconstruction of the polarization states of the incident light which passed through the turbid atmospheric media. Here, a novel polarization retrieve (PR) method is established using a Monte Carlo simulation algorithm, which is proposed to study the influence of particle scattering. The polarization states of the initial field could be retrieved accurately according to the polarization states of the scattered field and the Mueller matrix. In the case of a single homogeneous medium, the mean error of retrieved polarization is close to zero. We have also applied this method to complex atmospheric environments such as random-sized distribution particles and various index of refraction media. By comparison with the existing polarization maintaining method, the results indicate that the PR method is more applicable to disordered media with relatively larger particles. Moreover, the errors of the retrieved degree of polarization are below 0.11%, and the errors of the retrieved angle of polarization are below 0.54% in our mixed media model. So, this work will be very significant for polarizing quantum secure communication in scattering medium over a long-distance scope.
In this paper, a vector Monte Carlo (MC) method is proposed to study the influence of atmospheric scattering on polarization qubits for satellite-based quantum communication. The vector MC method utilizes a transmittance method to solve the photon free path for an inhomogeneous atmosphere and random number sampling to determine whether the type of scattering is aerosol scattering or molecule scattering. Simulations are performed for downlink and uplink. The degrees and the rotations of polarization are qualitatively and quantitatively obtained, which agree well with the measured results in the previous experiments. The results show that polarization qubits are well preserved in the downlink and uplink, while the number of received single photons is less than half of the total transmitted single photons for both links. Moreover, our vector MC method can be applied for the scattering of polarized light in other inhomogeneous random media.
ABSTRACT Polarimetry with quantum light promises improved measurements for various scenarios. However, fundamental understanding of quantum photonic state transport in complex, real media, and tools to interpret the state after interaction with the sample are still lacking. Here, we theoretically and experimentally explore the evolution of polarization‐entangled states in a turbid medium on example of tissue phantoms. By elaborating mathematical relationship between Wolf's coherency matrix and density matrix, we introduce a versatile framework describing the transfer of entangled photons in turbid environments with polarization tracking and resulting quantum state representation with the density operator. Experimentally, we reveal a robust trend in the state evolution depending on the reduced scattering coefficient of the medium. Our theoretical predictions correlate with experimental findings, while the model extends the study by photonic states with different degrees of entanglement. The presented results pave the way for quantitative quantum photonic sensing enabling applications ranging from biomedical diagnostics to remote sensing.
Quantum entanglement is an essential element for building the backbone of quantum information systems. Our particular interest lies in long-range distribution of entangled photons to facilitate secure data transfer in free space. To achieve this, we rely on photon pairs generated in such a way that their polarization characteristics represent the corresponding qubit states and have a high degree of correlation in measurements. The main focus of this paper is integrity of the quantum states in free-space channels. When transmitted in atmosphere, classical signals suffer from wave front distortions caused by the spatial and temporal fields of the refractive index. However, this mechanism does not have the same bearing on qubit values and their correlation. We study the effects of turbulence on quantum states by utilizing a laboratory testbed that includes an atmospheric chamber developed by the AFRL. It uses a system of controlled components capable of creating various turbulence conditions. When polarized signals are passed through the atmospheric chamber, we analyze the corresponding quantum states and evaluate the degree of entanglement using our mathematical models and existing metrics.
Quantum entanglement is critical to build the backbone of all quantum technologies. Quantum networks, quantum computations, and quantum communication networking is based on long-range distribution of entangled photons and teleportation of photon qubit states. In order to understand quantum entanglement, characterization of atmospheric turbulence and its effects on propagating quantum states in free-space is essential. One method of photon entanglement is using a photon’s polarization. In this paper, we report results using polarization entangled signal and idler photons. The results may be applicable to support various quantum computing, encryption, and other qubit based high-performance communication protocols. Classically, the degradation of beam quality occurs due to many factors but primarily due to the distortion of spatial and temporal fields of refractive index. However, behavior of single photons through similar turbulent media creates a different set of challenges pointing to integrity of quantum states during propagation. We study this behavior by analyzing quantum states and the degree of entanglement in real-time and correlating it to known atmospheric models, (refractive index structure parameter), and relevant propagation path parameters. This experimental study was performed initially in a controlled laboratory environment, and then devised to be implemented outdoors over a 100-meter free space communication link.
Though much work has been done concerning quantum radar cross section (QRCS), the related question about quantum radar scattering characteristics of targets in the atmospheric medium has not been considered. Understanding this question is of primary significance in the military and civil fields of quantum radar. The main objective of the paper is to propose a new algorithm for the calculation of QRCS in homogeneous atmospheric medium (M-QRCS). Therefore, based on the chain of beam splitters proposed by M. Lanzagorta to describe homogeneous atmospheric medium, the photon attenuation model is established, the photon wave function is modified, and the M-QRCS equation is proposed. Furthermore, in order to obtain an accurate M-QRCS response, we carry out simulation experiments on a flat rectangular plate in the atmospheric medium composed of different atomic arrays. Based on this, we study the influence of the attenuation coefficient, temperature, and visibility on the intensity of the peak value of main lobe and side lobes of M-QRCS. In addition, it is worth noting that the numerical calculation method proposed in this paper is based on the interaction between photons and atoms on the target surface, so it is suitable for the calculation and simulation of M-QRCS for targets of any shape.
Aiming at the transmission of polarization encoded single photons in turbulent atmosphere, the random turbulence is modeled as atmospheric bubbles with various refractive indexes so as to conceive the propagation process of single photon using geometric optics.The fluctuation of photon transmission ratio k has been quantitatively calculated which is revealed as the relationship between transmission ratio and incident angle or turbulence scale.Based on that, the quantum bit error rate(QBER) and polarization fidelity of single photons are analyzed respectively which are both caused by the misalignment of polarization state after continuous refractions.Then the three dimensional relationship of k and polarization error rate Q are simulated with random incident angle or turbulence scale.