Abstract
Free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) systems are often designed to implement polarization-encoding protocols. Alternatively, time-bin/phase-encoding protocols are considerably more challenging to perform over a channel experiencing atmospheric turbulence. However, over the last decade, new and improved optical platforms have revived the interest in them. In this paper, we present a free-space multi-protocol receiver designed to work with three different time-bin/phase-encoding protocols highlighting its interoperability with different systems and architectures for potential satellite-based communications. We also present a detailed analysis of different experimental configurations when implementing the coherent one-way (COW) protocol in a free-space channel, as well as a polarization filtering technique showing how time-bin/phase-encoding protocols could be used for QKD applications in daylight conditions. We demonstrate secret key rates of several kbps for channels with a total 30 dB attenuation even with moderately high QBERs of ≈3.5%. Moreover, a 2.6 dB improvement in the signal to noise ratio is achieved by filtering background light in the polarization degree of freedom, a technique that could be used in daylight QKD.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 40317-40327 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Optics Express |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 24 |
Early online date | 14 Nov 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 20 Nov 2023 |
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Experimental demonstration of a reconfigurable free-space receiver implementing polarization routing and filtering for daytime quantum key distribution
Donaldson, R. J. (Creator), Tello, A. (Creator), Buller, G. S. (Creator) & Zanforlin, U. (Creator), Heriot-Watt University, 4 Apr 2022
DOI: 10.17861/b5ec0c70-ca64-438b-bba8-5098980059be
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