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International Conference on Correlation Optics

A method of quantum communication using sideband-modulated infrared emission

Andrii Аleksieiev, M.I. Prokofiev, Петро Шпатар

Published Jan 5, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The method of quantum communication using sideband-modulated emission allows for efficient integration of devices constructed on this principle into optical fiber communication lines due to a number of advantages, including the absence of complex distributed interference schemes, simplification of the phase alignment task of the transmitter and receiver modules, and a significant increase in spectral efficiency of the use of the optical fiber communication line [1, 2]. The development of low-loss quantum communication methods using sideband frequencies, the efficiency of which does not depend on uncontrolled polarization change in the communication channel, and the development of methods for high-speed generation of quantum states are important theoretical and practical tasks. A semiconductor frequency-tunable laser with a central wavelength of 1550 nm, a bandwidth of 1.5 MHz, and a tuning step of 0.005 nm was used as the radiation source. The signal attenuation in the filter band is 43 dB, which allows to apply a modulation index of 0.05 with a contribution of the central wavelength to the quantum bit error rate of not more than 0.1%. The error rate when using the compensation scheme does not exceed 0.5%. The losses in the receiving module are 6.4 dB, which consist of losses of each modulator, on the polarization beam splitter, mixer, filter, and optical connectors.

DOI
10.1117/12.3010050

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The method of quantum communication using sideband-modulated emission allows for efficient integration of devices constructed on this principle into optical fiber communication lines due to a number of advantages, including the absence of complex distributed interference schemes, simplification of the phase alignment task of the transmitter and receiver modules, and a significant increase in spectral efficiency of the use of the optical fiber communication line [1, 2]. The development of low-loss quantum communication methods using sideband frequencies, the efficiency of which does not depend on uncontrolled polarization change in the communication channel, and the development of methods for high-speed generation of quantum states are important theoretical and practical tasks. A semiconductor frequency-tunable laser with a central wavelength of 1550 nm, a bandwidth of 1.5 MHz, and a tuning step of 0.005 nm was used as the radiation source. The signal attenuation in the filter band is 43 dB, which allows to apply a modulation index of 0.05 with a contribution of the central wavelength to the quantum bit error rate of not more than 0.1%. The error rate when using the compensation scheme does not exceed 0.5%. The losses in the receiving module are 6.4 dB, which consist of losses of each modulator, on the polarization beam splitter, mixer, filter, and optical connectors.
Subject of study. An optical system, composed of transmitting and receiving telescopes, was designed for quantum key distribution, based on the subcarrier wave modulation method, over an atmospheric channel. Aim of study. The aim of the study was to develop an optical system that allowed the use of single-mode fibers as the input and output of the system, ensured the transmission of an ultralow-power optical signal without introducing additional distortion, and implemented a protocol for distributing a quantum key over an atmospheric optical communication channel at a distance of up to 25 m. Method. An experimental setup with an atmospheric quantum communication channel was developed, which showed stable quantum key distribution without interruptions throughout the measurement process. Radiation propagation simulations were also performed to estimate the insertion loss of the optical signal. Main results. Simulations revealed that the optical losses in the quantum key distribution system amounted to approximately 17 dB. The atmospheric communication channel was studied at distances of 5, 10, and 25 m. Considering all optical elements of the system, including the ferrules of the output and input fibers of the quantum key distribution modules, the attenuation of the optical signal was approximately 8, 13, and 18 dB, respectively. Based on the atmospheric optical losses, the quantum key generation rates were of the order of 500, 350, and 190 bits/s with increasing distance and insertion losses. The probability of a quantum error was in the range of 3% to 5%, which was lower than the threshold of 6%, ensuring the legitimacy of the generated key and excluding the possibility of an attack on the communication channel. Practical significance. The compatibility of the developed optical system with single-mode optical fibers allows its integration into the existing infrastructure of data transmission lines without the need for additional optical radiation converters. Owing to the analyzed characteristics of the optical system for distributing a quantum key over an atmospheric communication channel, it can be applied in communication systems based on the Internet of Things, unmanned vehicles, and other moving objects.
The art of imparting information onto a light wave by optical signal modulation is fundamental to all forms of optical communication. Among many schemes, direct modulation of laser diodes stands out as a simple, robust, and cost-effective method. However, the simultaneous changes in intensity, frequency, and phase have prevented its application in the field of secure quantum communication. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a directly phase-modulated light source which overcomes the main disadvantages associated with direct modulation and is suitable for diverse applications such as coherent communications and quantum cryptography. The source separates the tasks of phase preparation and pulse generation between a pair of semiconductor lasers leading to very pure phase states. Moreover, the cavity-enhanced electro-optic effect enables the first example of subvolt half-wave phase modulation at high signal rates. The source is compact, stable, and versatile, and we show its potential to become the standard transmitter for future quantum communication networks based on attenuated laser pulses.
The art of imparting information onto a light wave by optical signal modulation is fundamental to all forms of optical communication.Among many schemes, direct modulation of laser diodes stands out as a simple, robust, and cost-effective method.However, the simultaneous changes in intensity, frequency, and phase have prevented its application in the field of secure quantum communication.Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a directly phase-modulated light source which overcomes the main disadvantages associated with direct modulation and is suitable for diverse applications such as coherent communications and quantum cryptography.The source separates the tasks of phase preparation and pulse generation between a pair of semiconductor lasers leading to very pure phase states.Moreover, the cavity-enhanced electro-optic effect enables the first example of subvolt half-wave phase modulation at high signal rates.The source is compact, stable, and versatile, and we show its potential to become the standard transmitter for future quantum communication networks based on attenuated laser pulses.
Major progress in quantum key distribution (QKD) has been realised recently both for free space and fiber implementations. For advanced QKD systems over fiber, information is encoded in the relative phase between delayed pulses or in polarization. Recently, we proposed an alternative approach where optical pulses are weakly modulated to generate spectral domain sidebands about a central peak. The information is encoded by the relative phase between the sidebands and the central peak. In this paper, we propose a modified architecture based on phase encoding with active dispersion compensation at 12.5 GHz that potentially allows the use of a high bit rate clock.
Security is increased in quantum communication (QC) systems lacking a true single-photon laser source by encoding a transmitted optical signal with two or more decoy-states. A variable attenuator or amplitude modulator randomly imposes average photon values onto the optical signal based on data input and the predetermined decoy-states. By measuring and comparing photon distributions for a received QC signal, a single-photon transmittance is estimated. Fiber birefringence is compensated by applying polarization modulation. A transmitter can be configured to transmit in conjugate polarization bases whose states of polarization (SOPs) can be represented as equidistant points on a great circle on the Poincare sphere so that the received SOPs are mapped to equidistant points on a great circle and routed to corresponding detectors. Transmitters are implemented in quantum communication cards and can be assembled from micro-optical components, or transmitter components can be fabricated as part of a monolithic or hybrid chip-scale circuit.
We report a particular implementation of a quantum cryptographic device operating at 1540-nm wavelength and involving interference between phase-modulated sidebands produced by a pair of phase modulators in the transmitting and receiving modules. The principle of operation is described in terms of both classical and quantum optics. The method has been demonstrated experimentally using a strongly attenuated semiconductor laser diode. Single photon interference has been obtained with a fringe visibility greater than 90%, indicating that the system can be used for quantum key distribution.