Detection and compensation of basis deviation in satellite-to-ground quantum communications

Abstract

Basis deviation is the reference-frame deviation between a sender and receiver caused by satellite motion in satellite-to-ground quantum communications. It increases the quantum-bit error ratio of the system and must be compensated for to guarantee reliable quantum communications. We present a new scheme for compensating for basis deviation that employs a BB84 decoding module to detect basis deviation and half-wave plate to provide compensation. Based on this detection scheme, we design a basis-deviation compensation approach and test its feasibility in a voyage experiment. Unlike other polarization-correction schemes, this compensation scheme is simple, convenient, and can be easily implemented in satellite-to-ground quantum communications without increased burden to the satellite.

Satellite-mediated quantum atmospheric links

“…The setup of the satellite-mediated quantum links is a demanding task. The following problems must be overcome for successfully establishing a feasible quantum communication with satellites: the relative motion of the communication parties [25][26][27], the influence of gravity [28,29], the clock synchronization problem [30,31], acquisition, tracking and pointing issues with moving platforms [32][33][34], the influence of background noise [35][36][37], to name just a few. For low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites, the communication time is limited to a few minutes [38,39] and this puts additional tight bounds on communication security.…”

Polarization design for ground-to-satellite quantum entanglement distribution

“…Polarization encoding of photons is always the first choice for long-distance free space quantum communications [10,17], including satellited-based entanglement distribution [11]. However, the polarization states will be affected by optical elements and the changing reference frame due to satellite motions [18][19][20]. Therefore, polarization maintenance and compensation of photons is one of the essential technology.…”

Polarization Calibration Scheme for a Practical Handheld Free Space Quantum Key Distribution Link

“…Polarization calibration is required in most QKD systems [7]- [11]. Considering an optical fiber channel, [8] used piezoelectric actuators to compensate the change of polarization, and [9] proposed a polarization-basis tracking scheme using sifted key bits revealed in the error correction step.…”

“…Real-time continuous control was demonstrated based on a wavelengthdivision multiplexing method in [10]. In free-space satellite-toground quantum communications, polarization basis tracking schemes used a rotating half-wave plate to calibrate the relative movement [7], [11]. In addition, a RFI protocol was implemented in [6] for a handheld QKD system, where the qubits are encoded in a circular basis and are tolerant to relative rotation [12].…”