Development of the polarization tracking scheme for free-space quantum cryptography

Morio Toyoshima; Yoshihisa Takayama; Hiroo Kunimori; Masahiro Takeoka; Mikio Fujiwara; Masahide Sasaki

doi:10.1117/12.783627

18 April 2008 Development of the polarization tracking scheme for free-space quantum cryptography

Morio Toyoshima, Yoshihisa Takayama, Hiroo Kunimori, Masahiro Takeoka, Mikio Fujiwara, Masahide Sasaki

Proceedings Volume 6951, Atmospheric Propagation V; 69510I (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.783627
Event: SPIE Defense and Security Symposium, 2008, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Quantum cryptography is a new technique for transmitting quantum information. The information is securely transmitted due to the laws of physics. In such systems, the vehicle that transfers quantum information is a single photon. The problem with using photons is that the transmission distance is limited by the absorption of the photons by the optical fiber along which they pass. The maximum demonstrated range so far is approximately 100 km. Using free-space quantum cryptography between a ground station and a satellite is a possible way of sending quantum information farther than is possible with optical fibers. This is because there is no birefringence effect in the atmosphere. However, there is a complication in that the directions of the polarization basis between the transmitter and the receiver must coincide with each other. This polarization changes because the mobile terminals for free-space transmission continuously change their attitudes. If the transmission protocol is based on polarization, it is necessary to compensate for the change in attitude between the mobile terminals. We are developing a scheme to track the polarization basis between the transceivers. The preliminary result is presented.

Citation Download Citation

Morio Toyoshima, Yoshihisa Takayama, Hiroo Kunimori, Masahiro Takeoka, Mikio Fujiwara, and Masahide Sasaki "Development of the polarization tracking scheme for free-space quantum cryptography", Proc. SPIE 6951, Atmospheric Propagation V, 69510I (18 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.783627

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available