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

Acta Sinica Quantum Optica

Design of Electro-Optic Modulator Drive Module in Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution

Guihua Zeng

Published Jan 1, 2009• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Phase modulator and amplitude modulator are both indispensable optical modulator in quantum cryptographic communication.In this paper,we proposes a design of drive module and a performance monitoring system for LiNbO3 phase modulator and amplitude modulator by employing the hardware of a quantum security communication system.The feasibility and reliability of the scheme are verified through the experimental result and theoretical analysis.

Related papers

Design of Phase Modulator Drive Circuit for Quantum Key Distribution

Fu-Chen Zhu

Based on analysis of working principle and circuit requirement of the phase modulator in quantum key distribution system,the phase modulator drive circuit is designed.The scheme,based on LiNbO3 electro-optic phase modulator,applies FPGA to providing the clock and control signals,while high-precision DAC and high-speed analog switch to producing the drive signal with precision up to nanoseconds.The driver circuit,with low cost,high modulation precision,and low power consumption,could achieve a precise control of optical phase.The experimental result indicates that this design could fully meet the system requirements,and the scheme is of feasibility and reliability.

Information Security and Communications Privacy•Jan 1, 2010•0 citations

The drive circuit design of phase modulator module in QKD system

Yonggang Wang

Phase modulator is an indispensable optical modulator in quantum key distribution as it can affect the quantum bit error rate.A control circuit for driving phase modulator is presented using high-speed and high frequency analog switch.Simulation results show that the output voltage pulse width can be less than 10ns,which can be well applied to quantum key distribution (QKD) system.The feasibility and reliability of the scheme are verified through theoretical analysis and experiment results.

Optical Communication Technology•Jan 1, 2010•0 citations

A 5 GHz and 7.5 V multi-amplitude modulator driving circuit for practical high-speed quantum key distribution

Xiang Liu, Mingqi Huang, Hao Min +3 more

Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers the ability of information theoretic security key exchange. The secure key rate is an important indicator for the practical QKD systems, which determines what kinds of applications can be supported. One most effective way to enhance the secure key rate is to increase the system repetition frequency. Here, we report an implementation of a high-speed DC-coupled modulator driving circuit with a repetition rate of up to 5 GHz. The circuit outputs a multi-amplitude return-to-zero pattern pulse with a maximum amplitude of 7.5 V. The design adapts to the various electro-optic modulators widely employed in QKD systems. The minimum pulse width is measured as 75 ps, with the relative noise level less than 1.5% for all the output amplitudes under random modulation.

Review of Scientific Instruments•Feb 1, 2020•8 citations

Comparison of Gaussian and Discrete Modulation Schemes in Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution

Haruto Shino, Ryuta Shiraki, Eiji Oki

Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers a promising solution by providing information-theoretic security based on the principles of quantum mechanics. Beyond theoretical experiments, QKD network construction and verification are actively progressing in various locations worldwide. Continuousvariable QKD (CVQKD) has emerged as a strong candidate for integration into optical networks, particularly due to its compatibility with coherent detection schemes used in existing optical communication systems. Gaussian-modulated (GM) CVQKD enables simpler security analysis through covariance matrices, but its practical implementation typically requires highperformance optical components, leading to increased cost and complexity. In contrast, discrete-modulated (DM) CVQKD using modulation formats, such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), can reduce implementation costs by utilizing the existing optical components. However, its security analysis requires more advanced techniques due to the non-Gaussian nature of the quantum states involved. This study evaluates the performance of GM- and DM-CVQKD under a common optical fiber channel model. Our results show that the secure key rates (SKRs) of DM-CVQKD with probabilistic constellation shaping (PCS) 64QAM and PCS-256QAM drop below zero at transmission distances of 277 km and 399 km, respectively. The results confirm the feasibility of DM-CVQKD for long-distance secure communication over optical fiber networks when appropriate modulation formats and PCS are employed.

Asia-Pacific Network Operations and Management Symposium (APNOMS)•Sep 22, 2025•0 citations

Quantum Modelling of Electro-Optic Modulators

J. Capmany, Carlos R. Fernández‐Pousa

Many components that are employed in quantum information and communication systems are well known photonic devices encountered in standard optical fiber communication systems, such as optical beamsplitters, waveguide couplers and junctions, electro-optic modulators and optical fiber links. The use of these photonic devices is becoming increasingly important especially in the context of their possible integration either in a specifically designed system or in an already deployed end-to-end fiber link. Whereas the behavior of these devices is well known under the classical regime, in some cases their operation under quantum conditions is less well understood. This paper reviews the salient features of the quantum scattering theory describing both the operation of the electro-optic phase and amplitude modulators in discrete and continuous-mode formalisms. This subject is timely and of importance in light of the increasing utilization of these devices in a variety of systems, including quantum key distribution and single-photon wavepacket measurement and conformation. In addition, the paper includes a tutorial development of the use of these models in selected but yet important applications, such as single and multi-tone modulation of photons, two-photon interference with phase-modulated light or the description of amplitude modulation as a quantum operation.

arXiv:1103.4747•Mar 24, 2011•0 citations

Plug-and-play four-state modulation continuous-variable quantum key distribution

Jian Zhou, Hui Li, Yanyan Feng +2 more

Abstract In this paper, a novel and highly efficient secure communication scheme is proposed through the integration of four-state modulation quantum key distribution and plug-and-play technology. This scheme serves the purpose of transmitting information reliably while preserving data confidentiality between two communicating parties. The most important advantage of the proposed continuous-variable QKD system is that the birefringence effect in fiber can be compensated automatically. Notably, simulation experimental evaluations are conducted, unveiling the performance of the plug-and-play four-state QKD which is as good as the four-state protocol when having small Rayleigh scattering noise. Furthermore, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of potential security threats targeted at the proposed protocol, thereby substantiating its robustness against such attacks. Moreover, theoretical justifications are provided to validate the security of the proposed scheme.

Physica Scripta•Aug 27, 2024•2 citations
Phase modulator and amplitude modulator are both indispensable optical modulator in quantum cryptographic communication.In this paper,we proposes a design of drive module and a performance monitoring system for LiNbO3 phase modulator and amplitude modulator by employing the hardware of a quantum security communication system.The feasibility and reliability of the scheme are verified through the experimental result and theoretical analysis.
Based on analysis of working principle and circuit requirement of the phase modulator in quantum key distribution system,the phase modulator drive circuit is designed.The scheme,based on LiNbO3 electro-optic phase modulator,applies FPGA to providing the clock and control signals,while high-precision DAC and high-speed analog switch to producing the drive signal with precision up to nanoseconds.The driver circuit,with low cost,high modulation precision,and low power consumption,could achieve a precise control of optical phase.The experimental result indicates that this design could fully meet the system requirements,and the scheme is of feasibility and reliability.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers the ability of information theoretic security key exchange. The secure key rate is an important indicator for the practical QKD systems, which determines what kinds of applications can be supported. One most effective way to enhance the secure key rate is to increase the system repetition frequency. Here, we report an implementation of a high-speed DC-coupled modulator driving circuit with a repetition rate of up to 5 GHz. The circuit outputs a multi-amplitude return-to-zero pattern pulse with a maximum amplitude of 7.5 V. The design adapts to the various electro-optic modulators widely employed in QKD systems. The minimum pulse width is measured as 75 ps, with the relative noise level less than 1.5% for all the output amplitudes under random modulation.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers a promising solution by providing information-theoretic security based on the principles of quantum mechanics. Beyond theoretical experiments, QKD network construction and verification are actively progressing in various locations worldwide. Continuousvariable QKD (CVQKD) has emerged as a strong candidate for integration into optical networks, particularly due to its compatibility with coherent detection schemes used in existing optical communication systems. Gaussian-modulated (GM) CVQKD enables simpler security analysis through covariance matrices, but its practical implementation typically requires highperformance optical components, leading to increased cost and complexity. In contrast, discrete-modulated (DM) CVQKD using modulation formats, such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), can reduce implementation costs by utilizing the existing optical components. However, its security analysis requires more advanced techniques due to the non-Gaussian nature of the quantum states involved. This study evaluates the performance of GM- and DM-CVQKD under a common optical fiber channel model. Our results show that the secure key rates (SKRs) of DM-CVQKD with probabilistic constellation shaping (PCS) 64QAM and PCS-256QAM drop below zero at transmission distances of 277 km and 399 km, respectively. The results confirm the feasibility of DM-CVQKD for long-distance secure communication over optical fiber networks when appropriate modulation formats and PCS are employed.
Many components that are employed in quantum information and communication systems are well known photonic devices encountered in standard optical fiber communication systems, such as optical beamsplitters, waveguide couplers and junctions, electro-optic modulators and optical fiber links. The use of these photonic devices is becoming increasingly important especially in the context of their possible integration either in a specifically designed system or in an already deployed end-to-end fiber link. Whereas the behavior of these devices is well known under the classical regime, in some cases their operation under quantum conditions is less well understood. This paper reviews the salient features of the quantum scattering theory describing both the operation of the electro-optic phase and amplitude modulators in discrete and continuous-mode formalisms. This subject is timely and of importance in light of the increasing utilization of these devices in a variety of systems, including quantum key distribution and single-photon wavepacket measurement and conformation. In addition, the paper includes a tutorial development of the use of these models in selected but yet important applications, such as single and multi-tone modulation of photons, two-photon interference with phase-modulated light or the description of amplitude modulation as a quantum operation.
Abstract In this paper, a novel and highly efficient secure communication scheme is proposed through the integration of four-state modulation quantum key distribution and plug-and-play technology. This scheme serves the purpose of transmitting information reliably while preserving data confidentiality between two communicating parties. The most important advantage of the proposed continuous-variable QKD system is that the birefringence effect in fiber can be compensated automatically. Notably, simulation experimental evaluations are conducted, unveiling the performance of the plug-and-play four-state QKD which is as good as the four-state protocol when having small Rayleigh scattering noise. Furthermore, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of potential security threats targeted at the proposed protocol, thereby substantiating its robustness against such attacks. Moreover, theoretical justifications are provided to validate the security of the proposed scheme.