We present a polarization diverse receiver architecture for continuous variables quantum key distribution. Our receiver architecture forgoes the need for any polarization matching calibrations or feedback loops and is usable in any locally generated local oscillator key distribution system. We demonstrate experimentally that our system is capable of reliably achieving theoretical security against coherent attacks, even under very adverse random polarization drift scenarios, where the single polarization channels are unable to achieve security, and is capable of functioning for long periods of time.
Efficient Energy-Constrained Semi-Device-Independent QRNG with an Integrated Heterodyne Receiver
Università degli Studi di Padova（帕多瓦大学）；Lund University（隆德大学）；Politecnico di Milano（米兰理工大学）；Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)（国家研究委员会光子学与纳米技术研究所）
Quantum illumination (QI) promises unprecedented performances in target detection but there are various problems surrounding its implementation. Where target ranging is a concern, signal and idler recombination forms a crucial barrier to the protocol's success. This could potentially be mitigated if performing a measurement on the idler mode could still yield a quantum advantage. In this paper we investigate the QI protocol for a generically correlated Gaussian source and study the phase-conjugating (PC) receiver, deriving the associated SNR in terms of the signal and idler energies, and their…
We experimentally compare a loss-optimized coherent heterodyne and a bandwidth-blessed intradyne CV-QKD architecture. We find the former to prevail performance-wise for medium/long link reach, while the latter features a 5-9 dB higher secure-key rate over short reach.
The cross-correlation sensitivity of two identical balanced photodiode heterodyne receivers is characterized. Both balanced photodiodes receive the same weak signal split up equally, a situation equivalent to an astronomical spatial interferometer. A common local oscillator (LO) is also split up equally and its phase difference between both receivers is stabilized. We show by semi-classical photon deletion theory that the post-detection laser shot noise contributions on both receivers must be completely uncorrelated in this case of passing three power splitters. We measured the auto- and cross…
A robust digital receiver architecture for continuous-variable quantum key distribution
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications（北京邮电大学）；China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd（中国移动通信集团有限公司）；Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd（华为技术有限公司）
Semiclassical models for multiple-user optical communication cannot assess the ultimate limits on reliable communication as permitted by the laws of physics. In all optical communications settings that have been analyzed within a quantum framework so far, the gaps between the quantum limit to the capacity and the Shannon limit for structured receivers become most significant in the low photon-number regime. Here, we present a quantum treatment of a multiple-transmitter multiple-receiver multi-spatial-mode free-space interference channel with diffraction-limited loss and a thermal background. W…
Continuous Wave Quantum Detection and Ranging with quantum heterodyne detection
Shenzhen University（深圳大学）；The Chinese University of Hong Kong（香港中文大学）；State Key Laboratory of Radio Frequency Heterogeneous Integration, Shenzhen University（深圳大学射频异质集成国家重点实验室）；Institute of Intelligent Optical Measurement and Detection, Shenzhen University（深圳大学智能光电测量与探测研究所）；Quantum Science Center of Guangdong-HongKong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Guangdong)（粤港澳大湾区量子科学中心（广东））
Non-conventional receivers for phase-coherent states based on non-Gaussian measurements such as photon counting surpass the sensitivity limits of shot-noise-limited coherent receivers, the quantum noise limit (QNL). These non-Gaussian receivers can have a significant impact in future coherent communication technologies. However, random phase changes in realistic communication channels, such as optical fibers, present serious challenges for extracting the information encoded in coherent states. While there are methods for correcting random phase noise with conventional heterodyne detection, pha…
Coherent states of light, and methods for distinguishing between them, are central to all applications of laser light. We obtain the ultimate quantum limit on the error probability exponent for discriminating among any M multimode coherent-state waveforms via the quantum Chernoff exponent in M-ary multi-copy state discrimination. A receiver, i.e., a concrete realization of a quantum measurement, called the Sequential Waveform Nulling (SWN) receiver, is proposed for discriminating an arbitrary coherent-state ensemble using only auxiliary coherent-state fields, beam splitters, and non-number-res…
Quantum target ranging with Hetero-Homodyne detection
Department of Combinatorics and Optimization and Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo（滑铁卢大学组合优化系与量子计算研究所）；Agency for Defense Development（国防发展局）
The Gaussian quantum key distribution protocol based on coherent states and heterodyne detection [Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 170504 (2004)] has the advantage that no active random basis switching is needed on the receiver's side. Its security is, however, not very satisfyingly understood today because the bounds on the secret key rate that have been derived from Heisenberg relations are not attained by any known scheme. Here, we address the problem of the optimal Gaussian individual attack against this protocol, and derive tight upper bounds on the information accessible to an eavesdropper. The opti…
A coherent transmission methodology for a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) system based on quantum-heterodyne measurement through a coherent intradyne receiver is experimentally demonstrated in the framework of 5G mobile fronthaul links. Continuous optical carrier synchronization is obtained through training information, which is multiplexing to the quantum signal as pilot tone in both, frequency and polarization. Spectral tailoring by means of optical carrier suppression and single-sideband modulation is adopted to simultaneously mitigate crosstalk into the quantum channe…
A general framework describing the statistical discrimination of an ensemble of quantum channels is given by the name of quantum reading. Several tools can be applied in quantum reading to reduce the error probability in distinguishing the ensemble of channels. Classical and quantum codes can be envisioned for this goal. The aim of this paper is to present a simple but fruitful protocol for this task using classical error-correcting codes. Three families of codes are considered: Reed-Solomon codes, BCH codes, and Reed-Muller codes. In conjunction to the use of codes, we also analyze the role o…
The integration of quantum communication functions often requires dedicated opto-electronic components that do not bode well with the technology roadmaps of telecom systems. We investigate the capability of commercial coherent transceiver sub-systems to support quantum random number generation next to classical data transmission, and demonstrate how the quantum entropy source based on vacuum fluctuations can be potentially converted into a true random number generator for this purpose. We discuss two possible implementations, building on a receiver- and a transmitter-centric architecture. In t…
Recently, we proposed a simultaneous quantum and classical communication (SQCC) protocol, where random numbers for quantum key distribution (QKD) and bits for classical communication are encoded on the \emph{same} weak coherent pulse, and decoded by the \emph{same} coherent receiver. Such a scheme could be appealing in practice since a single coherent communication system can be used for multiple purposes. However, previous studies show that the SQCC protocol can only tolerate very small phase noise. This makes it incompatible with the coherent communication scheme using a true local oscillato…
We consider discrete-modulation protocols for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) that employ a modulation constellation consisting of a finite number of coherent states and that use a homodyne or a heterodyne-detection receiver. We establish a security proof for collective attacks in the asymptotic regime, and we provide a formula for an achievable secret-key rate. Previous works established security proofs for discrete-modulation CV-QKD protocols that use two or three coherent states. The main constituents of our approach include approximating a complex, isotropic Gaussian …
Spoofing an electromagnetic signal involves measuring its properties and preparing a spoof signal that is a close enough copy to fool a receiver. A classic application of spoofing is in radar where an airborne target attempts to avoid being tracked by a ground-based radar by emitting pulses indicating a false range or velocity. In certain scenarios it has been shown that a sensor can exploit quantum mechanics to detect spoofing at the single-photon level. Here we analyze an idealized spoofing scenario where a transmitter-receiver pair, seeking to detect spoofing, utilizes a signal chosen rando…
In the low-energy high-energy-efficiency regime of classical optical communications---relevant to deep-space optical channels---there is a big gap between reliable communication rates achievable via conventional optical receivers and the ultimate (Holevo) capacity. Achieving the Holevo capacity requires not only optimal codes but also receivers that make collective measurements on long (modulated) codeword waveforms, and it is impossible to implement these collective measurements via symbol-by-symbol detection along with classical postprocessing. Here, we apply our recent results on the classi…
