A polarization encoder for satellite-to-ground QKD

Thomas Roger; Chithrabhanu Perumangatt; Ravinder Singh; Davide G. Marangon; Mirko Sanzaro; P. Raymond Smith; Andrew J. Shields

doi:10.1117/12.2649914

8 March 2023 A polarization encoder for satellite-to-ground QKD

Thomas Roger, Chithrabhanu Perumangatt, Ravinder Singh, Davide G. Marangon, Mirko Sanzaro, P. Raymond Smith, Andrew J. Shields

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12446, Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation III; 124460K (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2649914
Event: SPIE Quantum West, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We report the development of an optical assembly and driving electronics for a low-SWaP polarization encoder design for use in satellite-to-ground quantum communication. The optical design multiplexes multiple lasers, which are selectively excited to produce a polarization encoded output. This implementation is intrinsically stable due to the use of only polarization maintaining fiber in the combining optics. The transmitter, provides a low-cost, low-power and high-speed platform to produce polarization encoded pulses. We use the transmitter to generate 4 polarization states with 2 intensity levels via multiplexing of 8 pulsed light sources. The module can generate the polarization states H, V, D and A, which correspond to polarization angles of 0, 90, 45 and -45 degrees respectively, forming two mutually unbiased bases. The transmitter is characterized via a polarization decoder over a free-space link within a laboratory setting. We characterize the source for varying optical channel loss which is introduced between the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter employs the T12 decoy-state BB84 protocol. We explore the performance of the system with commercially available single photon detectors for two clock rates of 500 MHz and 1 GHz. We find a similar secure key rate for both repetition rates, despite the expected 3 dB gain at 1 GHz. This is a result of detector jitter hindering the performance of the QKD system, resulting in a larger QBER when detection events leak into the adjacent time bins and ultimately reduces the secure key rate.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Thomas Roger, Chithrabhanu Perumangatt, Ravinder Singh, Davide G. Marangon, Mirko Sanzaro, P. Raymond Smith, and Andrew J. Shields "A polarization encoder for satellite-to-ground QKD", Proc. SPIE 12446, Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation III, 124460K (8 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2649914

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