Reduction of photon-losses caused by turbulence using spatial diversity in free-space optics quantum communications

Andres I. Seguel*, Jaime A. Anguita, Carlos S. Pirela

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Spatial diversity is a technique widely used in wireless communications to enhance the signal quality at the receiver. We propose a multiple-input single-output system that utilizes this technique to enhance a free-space optics quantum communication link by reducing the amount of photon losses caused by atmospheric turbulence, thus increasing the capacity of the quantum channel. The system consists of two transmitters with uncorrelated optical paths, and a single receiver. A 515-nm quantum signal is transmitted through the transmission path with the highest gain, dynamically chosen by comparing the signal distortions of a 660-nm classical signal. Preliminary experiments with a single transmitter have been conducted in a laboratory environment with atmospheric turbulence generated via heat guns. We observed that the single-photon channel is highly correlated with the fluctuations of the 660-nm classical signal, so that an improvement in the former is expected when selecting the path with highest gain. The number of photon counts received was compared with the turbulence-free scenario, revealing that the mean number of counts decreased, and its standard deviation increased when turbulence is present, as expected.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLaser Communication and Propagation through the Atmosphere and Oceans XII
EditorsJaime A. Anguita, Jeremy P. Bos, David T. Wayne
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510665965
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023
EventLaser Communication and Propagation through the Atmosphere and Oceans XII 2023 - San Diego, United States
Duration: 22 Aug 202323 Aug 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume12691
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceLaser Communication and Propagation through the Atmosphere and Oceans XII 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period22/08/2323/08/23

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 SPIE.

Keywords

  • FSO
  • Quantum communications
  • Spatial diversity

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