Quantum Communication Over Atmospheric Channels: A Framework for Optimizing Wavelength and Filtering

Despite quantum networking concepts, designs, and hardware becoming increasingly mature, there is no consensus on the optimal wavelength for free-space systems. We present an in-depth analysis of a daytime free-space quantum channel as a function of wavelength and atmospheric spatial coherence (Frie...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inarXiv.org
Main Authors Lanning, R Nicholas, Harris, Mark A, Oesch, Denis W, Oliker, Michael D, Gruneisen, Mark T
Format Paper
LanguageEnglish
Published Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 01.07.2021
Subjects
Adaptive optics
Coherence length
Communication
Communications systems
Filtration
Optimization
Quantum cryptography
Qubits (quantum computing)
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Summary:Despite quantum networking concepts, designs, and hardware becoming increasingly mature, there is no consensus on the optimal wavelength for free-space systems. We present an in-depth analysis of a daytime free-space quantum channel as a function of wavelength and atmospheric spatial coherence (Fried coherence length). We choose decoy-state quantum key distribution bit yield as a performance metric in order to reveal the ideal wavelength choice for an actual qubit-based protocol under realistic atmospheric conditions. Our analysis represents a rigorous framework to analyze requirements for spatial, spectral, and temporal filtering. These results will help guide the development of free-space quantum communication and networking systems. In particular, our results suggest that shorter wavelengths in the optical band should be considered for free-space quantum communication systems. Our results are also interpreted in the context of atmospheric compensation by higher-order adaptive optics.
ISSN:2331-8422