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 Physica Sinica

Real-time polarization compensation system for wavelength division multiplexing in low noise fiber channel based on single photon counting feedback

Ruo-Lin Cao, Qing-Xuan Peng, Jindong Wang, Yongjie Chen, Yunfei Huang, Ya-Fei Yu, Zhengjun Wei, Zhiming Zhang

Published Jan 1, 2022• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The physical effects such as random birefringence of fiber optic channels due to environmental influences make the optical signals transmitted in them have sensitive polarization variations, which seriously affects the performance of polarization biased code quantum key distribution systems. In this paper, a low-noise fiber channel wavelength division multiplexing real-time polarization compensation system is presented, where single photon counting is used as a feedback signal. The system can acquire the fiber channel polarization change information by detecting the photon counting of the conjugate reference light. In the system, the compensation algorithm is designed to control the electric polarization controller to calibrate the polarization state of the quantum signal light under the corresponding polarization base in real time, and the stable fiber channel polarization compensation is successfully achieved. In order to verify the effectiveness of the compensation system, a quantum key distribution test based on BB84 protocol with a transmission distance of 25.2 km is conducted, and stable test results of up to 8 hours are obtained in the laboratory environment and the simulated metropolitan area network buried fiber environment, with the average quantum bit error rate being 0.52% and 1.25%, respectively. The experimental results show that this system can guarantee the stable operation of polarization-encoded quantum key distribution in the buried fiber environment in urban areas.

DOI
10.7498/aps.71.20220120

Related papers

Stable quantum key distribution with active polarization control based on time-division multiplexing

Jiankang Chen, Guang Wu, Lu Xu +3 more

Polarization-encoding provides a promising approach for the practical quantum key distribution (QKD) system due to the simple encoding and decoding method. Here we present a long-term stable polarization-encoding QKD with a real-time polarization control. The polarization of the signal photons in the optical fiber was maintained stable by using time-division-multiplexed reference pulses for feedback control. We implemented this technique in the QKD experiment in 50 km fiber to show that it could facilitate polarization-encoded quantum communication. The system operated stably for ∼460 min, and the quantum bit error rate was ∼5.27%. The raw key generating rate in this system was kept stable at ∼500 bits s -1 . The advantages and disadvantages of the previous polarization-control schemes were also rigorously analyzed.

New Journal of Physics•Jun 16, 2009•78 citations

A simple system of polarization compensation

L. C. Chen, Lifang Gao, qianqian zhang +2 more

The polarization-encoded quantum key distribution system uses the polarization property of photons to realize secure key sharing. For fiber-based systems, however, the birefringence effect in single-mode fibers significantly affects the preservation of photon polarization states. Therefore, it is essential to carry out polarization compensation for polarization coding system. The current mainstream polarization compensation systems utilize Field Programmable Gate Array for data acquisition, calculation, and control. This method offers rapid and efficient performance but comes with high costs and complex designs. To address this problem, a polarization compensation system based on hardware equipment is proposed in this paper. The system not only reduces the cost of polarization compensation, but also is simple and easy to operate by using computer for data processing. To further demonstrate the feasibility of the system, a polarization compensation procedure based on a gradient algorithm is designed, with the error count rate of a single-photon detector serving as an evaluation parameter. In addition, this algorithm is applied to the aforementioned system for long-term and long-distance polarization monitoring. Over a period of approximately 24 hours, the average error count rate for a 20km transmission fiber is 0.59% and the average error rate for a 50km transmission fiber is 0.55%. These experimental results demonstrate that the system exhibits good polarization compensation performance and long running ability.

International Conference on Electronic Information Engineering, Big Data and Computer Technology (EIBDCT)•Jul 19, 2024•0 citations

Stable polarization-encoded quantum key distribution in fiber

Guang Wu, Jie Chen, Yao Li +1 more

Polarizations of single-photon pulses have been controlled with long-term stability of more than 10 hours by using an active feedback technique for auto-compensation of unpredictable polarization scrambling in long-distance fiber. Experimental tests of long-term operations in 50, 75 and 100 km fibers demonstrated that such a single-photon polarization control supported stable polarization encoding in long-distance fibers to facilitate stable one-way fiber system for polarization-encoded quantum key distribution, providing quantum bit error rates below the absolute security threshold.

arXiv:quant-ph/0606108•Jun 13, 2006•2 citations

Quantum key distribution system operating at sifted-key rate over 4 Mbit/s

Xiao Hong Tang, Lijun Ma, Alan Mink +8 more

A complete fiber-based polarization encoding quantum key distribution (QKD) system based on the BB84 protocol has been developed at National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST). The system can be operated at a sifted key rate of more than 4 Mbit/s over optical fiber of length 1 km and mean photon number 0.1. The quantum channel uses 850 nm photons from attenuated high speed VCSELs and the classical channel uses 1550 nm light from normal commercial coarse wavelength division multiplexing devices. Sifted-key rates and quantum error rates at different transmission rates are measured as a function of distance (fiber length). A polarization auto-compensation module has been developed and utilized to recover the polarization state and to compensate for temporal drift. An automatic timing alignment device has also been developed to quickly handle the initial configuration of quantum channels so that detection events fall into the correct timing window. These automated functions make the system more practical for integration into existing optical local area networks.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•May 5, 2006•10 citations

Full polarization control for fiber optical quantum communication systems using polarization encoding

GUILHERME BARRETO XAVIER, G. Vilela de Faria, Guilherme P. Temporão +1 more

A real-time polarization control system employing two non-orthogonal reference signals multiplexed in either time or wavelength with the data signal is presented. It is shown, theoretically and experimentally, that complete control of multiple polarization states can be attained employing polarization controllers in closed-loop configuration. Experimental results on the wavelength multiplexing setup show that negligible added penalties, corresponding to an average added optical Quantum Bit Error Rate of 0.044%, can be achieved with response times smaller than 10 ms, without significant introduction of noise counts in the quantum channel.

arXiv:0710.4093•Optics Express•Jan 1, 2008•138 citations

An autocompensating fiber-optic quantum cryptography system based on polarization splitting of light

Donald S. Bethune, W. P. Risk

We have developed a system for quantum key distribution (QKD), based on standard telecommunication lasers, detectors, and optical fiber, that passively compensates for time-dependent variations of the fiber-optic path due to stress, temperature changes, or birefringence. This approach allows information encoded in phase shifts imposed on single-photon-level pulses to be accurately read out after transmission over many kilometers of uncontrolled fiber. Cooled InGaAs avalanche photodiodes, pulse-biased using a special noise canceling circuit, are used to detect single 1.31-/spl mu/m infrared photons with a high efficiency, low dark-count rate, and subnanosecond time resolution. A single optical fiber carries both the quantum information and precise 1.55 /spl mu/m timing pulses between the two end stations. Overall synchronization of end-station activities, public discussion of basis choices, error correction, and privacy amplification have all been implemented over a local area network (LAN). The system at present generates raw, error-corrected, and privacy-amplified key data at rates of /spl sim/1000, 600, and 200 bits/s, respectively, over a 10-km single-mode fiber link.

IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics•Mar 1, 2000•147 citations
The physical effects such as random birefringence of fiber optic channels due to environmental influences make the optical signals transmitted in them have sensitive polarization variations, which seriously affects the performance of polarization biased code quantum key distribution systems. In this paper, a low-noise fiber channel wavelength division multiplexing real-time polarization compensation system is presented, where single photon counting is used as a feedback signal. The system can acquire the fiber channel polarization change information by detecting the photon counting of the conjugate reference light. In the system, the compensation algorithm is designed to control the electric polarization controller to calibrate the polarization state of the quantum signal light under the corresponding polarization base in real time, and the stable fiber channel polarization compensation is successfully achieved. In order to verify the effectiveness of the compensation system, a quantum key distribution test based on BB84 protocol with a transmission distance of 25.2 km is conducted, and stable test results of up to 8 hours are obtained in the laboratory environment and the simulated metropolitan area network buried fiber environment, with the average quantum bit error rate being 0.52% and 1.25%, respectively. The experimental results show that this system can guarantee the stable operation of polarization-encoded quantum key distribution in the buried fiber environment in urban areas.
Polarization-encoding provides a promising approach for the practical quantum key distribution (QKD) system due to the simple encoding and decoding method. Here we present a long-term stable polarization-encoding QKD with a real-time polarization control. The polarization of the signal photons in the optical fiber was maintained stable by using time-division-multiplexed reference pulses for feedback control. We implemented this technique in the QKD experiment in 50 km fiber to show that it could facilitate polarization-encoded quantum communication. The system operated stably for ∼460 min, and the quantum bit error rate was ∼5.27%. The raw key generating rate in this system was kept stable at ∼500 bits s -1 . The advantages and disadvantages of the previous polarization-control schemes were also rigorously analyzed.
The polarization-encoded quantum key distribution system uses the polarization property of photons to realize secure key sharing. For fiber-based systems, however, the birefringence effect in single-mode fibers significantly affects the preservation of photon polarization states. Therefore, it is essential to carry out polarization compensation for polarization coding system. The current mainstream polarization compensation systems utilize Field Programmable Gate Array for data acquisition, calculation, and control. This method offers rapid and efficient performance but comes with high costs and complex designs. To address this problem, a polarization compensation system based on hardware equipment is proposed in this paper. The system not only reduces the cost of polarization compensation, but also is simple and easy to operate by using computer for data processing. To further demonstrate the feasibility of the system, a polarization compensation procedure based on a gradient algorithm is designed, with the error count rate of a single-photon detector serving as an evaluation parameter. In addition, this algorithm is applied to the aforementioned system for long-term and long-distance polarization monitoring. Over a period of approximately 24 hours, the average error count rate for a 20km transmission fiber is 0.59% and the average error rate for a 50km transmission fiber is 0.55%. These experimental results demonstrate that the system exhibits good polarization compensation performance and long running ability.
Polarizations of single-photon pulses have been controlled with long-term stability of more than 10 hours by using an active feedback technique for auto-compensation of unpredictable polarization scrambling in long-distance fiber. Experimental tests of long-term operations in 50, 75 and 100 km fibers demonstrated that such a single-photon polarization control supported stable polarization encoding in long-distance fibers to facilitate stable one-way fiber system for polarization-encoded quantum key distribution, providing quantum bit error rates below the absolute security threshold.
A complete fiber-based polarization encoding quantum key distribution (QKD) system based on the BB84 protocol has been developed at National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST). The system can be operated at a sifted key rate of more than 4 Mbit/s over optical fiber of length 1 km and mean photon number 0.1. The quantum channel uses 850 nm photons from attenuated high speed VCSELs and the classical channel uses 1550 nm light from normal commercial coarse wavelength division multiplexing devices. Sifted-key rates and quantum error rates at different transmission rates are measured as a function of distance (fiber length). A polarization auto-compensation module has been developed and utilized to recover the polarization state and to compensate for temporal drift. An automatic timing alignment device has also been developed to quickly handle the initial configuration of quantum channels so that detection events fall into the correct timing window. These automated functions make the system more practical for integration into existing optical local area networks.
A real-time polarization control system employing two non-orthogonal reference signals multiplexed in either time or wavelength with the data signal is presented. It is shown, theoretically and experimentally, that complete control of multiple polarization states can be attained employing polarization controllers in closed-loop configuration. Experimental results on the wavelength multiplexing setup show that negligible added penalties, corresponding to an average added optical Quantum Bit Error Rate of 0.044%, can be achieved with response times smaller than 10 ms, without significant introduction of noise counts in the quantum channel.
We have developed a system for quantum key distribution (QKD), based on standard telecommunication lasers, detectors, and optical fiber, that passively compensates for time-dependent variations of the fiber-optic path due to stress, temperature changes, or birefringence. This approach allows information encoded in phase shifts imposed on single-photon-level pulses to be accurately read out after transmission over many kilometers of uncontrolled fiber. Cooled InGaAs avalanche photodiodes, pulse-biased using a special noise canceling circuit, are used to detect single 1.31-/spl mu/m infrared photons with a high efficiency, low dark-count rate, and subnanosecond time resolution. A single optical fiber carries both the quantum information and precise 1.55 /spl mu/m timing pulses between the two end stations. Overall synchronization of end-station activities, public discussion of basis choices, error correction, and privacy amplification have all been implemented over a local area network (LAN). The system at present generates raw, error-corrected, and privacy-amplified key data at rates of /spl sim/1000, 600, and 200 bits/s, respectively, over a 10-km single-mode fiber link.