Quantum Communication Over Atmospheric Channels: A Framework for Optimizing Wavelength and Filtering
Abstract
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.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2104.10276,
title = {Quantum Communication Over Atmospheric Channels: A Framework for Optimizing Wavelength and Filtering},
author = {R. Nicholas Lanning and Mark A. Harris and Denis W. Oesch and Michael D. Oliker and Mark T. Gruneisen},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2104.10276},
year = {2021}
}