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Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging

Investigating absorption and scattering effects of turbulent atmosphere on entangled photon pairs propagating through free-space

Vijit Bedi, Vladimir V. Nikulin, Kathy-Anne Soderberg, Paul M. Alsing, Laura Wessing, John E. Malowicki, Peter A. Ricci, John W. Heinig, William F. Lipe

Published Oct 4, 2022• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.1117/12.2632039

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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.
The primary focus of this paper is high-performance quantum communication systems that facilitate secure data transfer via free-space links. We consider an approach that uses correlated photon pairs generated in such a way that their polarizations are entangled and can be used to support quantum encryption protocols. However, when deployed in free space, these links can be affected by channel distortion, primarily via the spatial and temporal fields of the refractive index along the propagation path. In classical links, these fields alter the optical wave front characteristics; however, this mechanism does not directly apply to the quantum states utilized in single-photon or entangled photon protocols. Transmitting signals with quantum-based encryption creates a realm of problems, not related to wave front distortions, but rather to integrity of the quantum states after the signals propagate over free-space channels. We study these phenomena by implementing a laboratory testbed capable of creating a turbulent environment using atmospheric chambers developed by the AFRL. It is then used for experimental investigation of quantum entanglement after photon pairs are propagated both collinearly and via separate paths.
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.
The orbital angular momentum (OAM) state of light can potentially be used to implement higher dimensional entangled systems for quantum communication. Unfortunately, optical fibers in use today support only modes with zero OAM values. Free-space quantum communication is an alternative to traditional way of communicating through optical fibers. However the refractive index fluctuation of the atmosphere gives rise to random phase aberrations on a propagating optical beam. To transmit quantum information successfully through a free-space optical channel, one needs to understand how atmospheric turbulence influences quantum entanglement. Here, we present a numerical study of the evolution of quantum entanglement between a pair of qubits. The qubits consist of photons entangled in the OAM basis. The photons propagate in a turbulent atmosphere modeled by a series of consecutive phase screens based on the Kolmogorov theory of turbulence. Maximally entangled initial states are considered, and the concurrence is used as a measure of entanglement. We show how the evolution of entanglement is influenced by various parameters such as the beam waist, the strength of the turbulence and the wavelength of the beam. We restricted our analysis to the OAM values l = ±1 and we compared our results to previous work.
In this paper, we focus on quantum communication systems that facilitate either secure data transfer or quantum key distribution via free-space links. Unlike classical channels where the effects of turbulent media on the optical wave front is well known and can be predicted with existing theoretical models, the mechanism described in the latter cannot be directly applied to quantum states. In our approach that relies on emitting correlated photon pairs with polarization entanglement, another realm of problems is encountered, which is not related to wave front distortions, but rather to integrity of the quantum states. Proper response of the detection system to non-classical features of light requires that photon pairs with proper polarization arrive to the receiver and their correlation characteristics are still preserved. Therefore, it is necessary to research a wide array of operating conditions corresponding to different levels of turbulence and finding proper mechanisms to replicate those on our laboratory testbed. In this paper, we present a system that integrates an atmospheric chamber developed by the AFRL, a link emulating quantum communication and analysis instrumentation. A system is developed that allows scaling the experiments over different ranges and quantitative analysis of entanglement characteristics of the received signals. Integrity of the quantum states is evaluated under practical operating conditions.
The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is building a quantum optics and quantum information laboratory to study single photon phenomena and its applications. We propose an experiment to characterize the effects of atmospheric turbulence on single photons and entangled pair of photons as a function of statistical quantities that define a turbulent atmosphere (such as the Fried parameter, Greenwood frequency, Rytov variance, ect).This presentation details the initial experiment studying single photon propagation using an atmospheric turbulence simulator that statistically represents ground-to-space quantum communications.
Understanding the influence of atmospheric turbulence on the propagation of entangled biphoton states is essential for free-space quantum communication protocols. Using the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle and the Kolmogorov turbulence model, we derive an analytical expression for the combined density operator of the signal and idler fields generated via SPDC, following propagation through separate turbulent channels. By expressing this density operator in the continuous position basis, we show how the spatial correlations between signal and idler persist through turbulence despite the loss of state purity, as they transition from being quantum to classical in nature. We further identify a finite range of propagation distances over which the angle-OAM entanglement is maximized, which provides valuable insights for designing free-space quantum communication links operating over several kilometers through the turbulent atmosphere.