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Optical Fiber Communication Conference

Simple and Fast Polarization Tracking algorithm for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution System

Yan Pan, Heng Wang, Yun Shao, Yaodi Pi, Ting Ye, Yang Li, Wei Huang, Bingjie Xu

Published Mar 1, 2023• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A simple and fast polarization tracking algorithm for pilot tone-assisted CV-QKD system is demonstrated. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can track polarization scrambling rate ≥12.57 krad/s with a good performance.
DOI
10.23919/ofc49934.2023.10117079

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Simple and Fast Polarization Tracking algorithm for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution System

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Optical Fiber Communication Conference•Jan 1, 2023•0 citations

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To reduce the influence of random channel polarization variation, especially fast polarization perturbation, for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) systems, a simple and fast polarization tracking algorithm is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The algorithm is implemented by an orthogonal pilot tone scheme, one of the pilot tones is used for estimating the polarization rotation angle, and the other one is used for compensating the polarization perturbation introduced phase noise. Meanwhile, residual effects are compensated precisely with the help of a real-valued FIR filter. In this case, the excess noise introduced by polarization perturbation is effectively suppressed. Experimental results show that the polarization scrambling rate ≥12.57 krad/s can be tracked by using the proposed algorithm, and a good estimated parameters performance is achieved. Compared to conventional polarization tracking algorithms such as the constant modulus algorithm (CMA), experimental results show that the polarization tracking capability of the proposed algorithm is significantly improved. Furthermore, much faster polarization tracking performance is evaluated by digital simulations, and the simulation results show that about 188.50 Mrad/s can be tracked by the proposed algorithm. Thus, our method provides effective technology for the practical application of fiber-based CV-QKD.

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Scientific Reports•May 10, 2024•15 citations
To reduce the influence of random channel polarization variation, especially fast polarization perturbation, for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) systems, a simple and fast polarization tracking algorithm is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The algorithm is implemented by an orthogonal pilot tone scheme, one of the pilot tones is used for estimating the polarization rotation angle, and the other one is used for compensating the polarization perturbation introduced phase noise. Meanwhile, residual effects are compensated precisely with the help of a real-valued FIR filter. In this case, the excess noise introduced by polarization perturbation is effectively suppressed. Experimental results show that the polarization scrambling rate ≥12.57 krad/s can be tracked by using the proposed algorithm, and a good estimated parameters performance is achieved. Compared to conventional polarization tracking algorithms such as the constant modulus algorithm (CMA), experimental results show that the polarization tracking capability of the proposed algorithm is significantly improved. Furthermore, much faster polarization tracking performance is evaluated by digital simulations, and the simulation results show that about 188.50 Mrad/s can be tracked by the proposed algorithm. Thus, our method provides effective technology for the practical application of fiber-based CV-QKD.
A polarization demultiplexing algorithm for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) system based on Stokes space is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In the CV-QKD system, the pilot tone and quantum signal is modulated on the two orthogonal states of polarization (SOP), respectively. Since the power of the pilot-tone is much higher than quantum signal, the received signals in Stokes space present a single cluster point. Therefore, the K-means algorithm is used to find the coordinate of the cluster point, and the polarization rotation angles can be obtained by the coordinate. The advantages of the proposed algorithm are fast convergence, simple computation and modulation format independence. Experimental results of 100 MHz pilot-tone-assisted Gaussian-modulated CV-QKD system with local local oscillator (LLO) are given, and the results show that the proposed algorithm split the pilot-tone and quantum signal effectively. Furthermore, experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can track SOP scrambling of ≥3141.59 rad/s without sacrificing the performance of excess noise, which is satisfying for most scenarios of the LLO CV-QKD system.
In a commercial fiber-based quantum key distribution system, the local and signal optical fields are transmitted through long distance fibers by using time division multiplexing and polarization multiplexing. The state of polarization of the optical field is inevitably disturbed by random birefringence of the standard single-mode fiber caused by external complex environments. This drift of the state of polarization significantly affects the balanced homodyne detection results and the secret key rate. Therefore, the key technology of the dynamic polarization control unit is crucial for the system in a large-scale commercial application. We theoretically analyze and prove that the polarization control unit only needs the combination of two degrees of freedom when considering the result of an arbitrary polarization extinction ratio at the receiver of the system. To overcome the influence of polarization variations, we propose a chaotic monkey algorithm based on Bayesian parameter estimation method and implement intelligence algorithm on field programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware under pulsed light with an integral-type detector for the dynamic polarization control unit. The simulation results show that the optimal combination is four degrees of freedom and the optimal prior distribution is an exponential distribution among various distributions in the dynamic polarization control unit. According to the simulation results, the experimental results show that the achieved polarization extinction ratio is over 30 dB and the average time of polarization control is 400 μs for a single random polarization scrambling. By combining the dynamic polarization control unit with the system, we demonstrate the continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) under a continuous polarization scrambling scope of 0－2 krad/s and verify its effectiveness. In addition, the methods presented will improve the performance of the system and expand the range of applications even under strong external disturbance.
The major drawbacks of current CV-QKD systems are the achievable secret key rate or transmission distance. Moreover, most of the CV-QKD systems are based on homodyne detection and use a remotely transmitted local oscillator in time or polarization multiplex. This enhances the complexity of the transmitter and the receiver, limits the transmission distance and leaves a security loophole for a potential eavesdropper performing for example a local oscillator calibration attack. In this article, a CV-QKD system using a discrete 8-state phase modulation and a symbol rate of 1 GBd as well as a heterodyne detection with a real local oscillator is experimentally demonstrated. The excess noise, a crucial parameter limiting the achievable key rate and transmission distance, is studied.
In the domain of continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD), a significant challenge arises in achieving precise frequency synchronization, an issue commonly termed as frequency locking. This involves matching the optical frequencies of both the quantum signal laser and the local oscillator laser for accurate symbol demodulation during the exchange of quantum keys. As such, implementations today still grapple with maintaining precise synchronization between sender and receiver frequencies, occasionally hindering the efficiency and reliability of the information exchange. Addressing this challenge, we present and empirically validate a novel approach to CV-QKD by incorporating a pilot tone-assisted frequency locking algorithm to enhance stability when using a locally generated local oscillator (LLO) at the receiver. The proposed design leverages software-based optimization techniques, thereby eliminating the need for high-speed electronic stabilization devices and achieving efficient performance at typical repetition rates. Specifically, the introduction of the pilot tone algorithm allows us to effectively mitigate phase fluctuations and preserve the integrity of the quantum signals during transmission without resorting to time-multiplexed reference pulses or fast-locking electronics in the lasers. Our results suggest the potential for achieving secure key rates of up to 1 Mb/s over a 50 km single-mode fiber when using these techniques, offering promising insights into the feasibility of high-rate, low-complexity CV-QKD implementations under realistic conditions.