Quantum-limited measurements of optical signals from a geostationary satellite

Günthner K, Khan I, Elser DA, Stiller B, Bayraktar Ö, Mueller CR, Saucke K, Troendle D, Heine F, Seel S, Greulich P, Zech H, Guetlich B, Philipp-May S, Marquardt C, Leuchs G (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Book Volume: 4

Pages Range: 611-616

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.4.000611

Abstract

The measurement of quantum signals that travel through long distances is fundamentally and technologically interesting. We present quantum-limited coherent measurements of optical signals that are sent from a satellite in geostationary Earth orbit to an optical ground station. We bound the excess noise that the quantum states could have acquired after having propagated 38,600 km through Earth’s gravitational potential, as well as its turbulent atmosphere. Our results indicate that quantum communication is feasible, in principle, in such a scenario, highlighting the possibility of a global quantum key distribution network for secure communication.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Tesat-Spacecom GmbH & Co. KG Germany (DE) Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center Germany (DE) Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Günthner, K., Khan, I., Elser, D.A., Stiller, B., Bayraktar, Ö., Mueller, C.R.,... Leuchs, G. (2017). Quantum-limited measurements of optical signals from a geostationary satellite. Optica, 4(6), 611-616. https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.4.000611

MLA:

Günthner, Kevin, et al. "Quantum-limited measurements of optical signals from a geostationary satellite." Optica 4.6 (2017): 611-616.

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