Atmospheric continuous-variable quantum communication

Heim B, Peuntinger C, Killoran N, Khan I, Wittmann C, Marquardt C, Leuchs G (2014)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

New Journal of Physics Institute of Physics: Open Access Journals / Institute of Physics (IoP) and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft

Book Volume: 16

Article Number: 113018

DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/16/11/113018

Abstract

We present a quantum communication experiment conducted over a point-to-point free-space link of 1.6 km in urban conditions. We study atmospheric influences on the capability of the link to act as a continuous-variable (CV) quantum channel. Continuous polarization states (that contain the signal encoding as well as a local oscillator (LO) in the same spatial mode) are prepared and sent over the link in a polarization multiplexed setting. Both signal and LO undergo the same atmospheric fluctuations. These are intrinsically auto-compensated which removes detrimental influences on the interferometric visibility. At the receiver, we measure the Q-function and interpret the data using the framework of effective entanglement (EE). We compare different state amplitudes and alphabets (two-state and four-state) and determine their optimal working points with respect to the distributed EE. Based on the high entanglement transmission rates achieved, our system indicates the high potential of atmospheric links in the field of CV quantum key distribution.

Authors with CRIS profile

Christoph Marquardt Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik (Optik) Gerhard Leuchs

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE) Universität Ulm DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Heim, B., Peuntinger, C., Killoran, N., Khan, I., Wittmann, C., Marquardt, C., & Leuchs, G. (2014). Atmospheric continuous-variable quantum communication. New Journal of Physics, 16. https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/16/11/113018

MLA:

Heim, B., et al. "Atmospheric continuous-variable quantum communication." New Journal of Physics 16 (2014).

BibTeX: Download