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Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (한국전자통신연구원)
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Free-space quantum key distribution transmitter system using WDM filter for channel integration

  • Minchul Kim (Quantum Technology Research Division, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) ;
  • Kyongchun Lim (Quantum Technology Research Division, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) ;
  • Joong-Seon Choe (Quantum Technology Research Division, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) ;
  • Byung-Seok Choi (Quantum Technology Research Division, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) ;
  • Kap-Joong Kim (Quantum Technology Research Division, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) ;
  • Ju Hee Baek (Quantum Technology Research Division, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) ;
  • Chun Ju Youn (Quantum Technology Research Division, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute)
  • Received : 2024.03.24
  • Accepted : 2024.08.20
  • Published : 2024.10.10
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Abstract

In this study, we report a transmitter system for free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) using the BB84 protocol, which does not require an internal alignment process, by using a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) filter and polarization-encoding module. With a custom-made WDM filter, the signals required for QKD can be integrated by simply connecting fibers, thus avoiding the laborious internal alignment required for free-space QKD systems using conventional bulk-optic setups. The WDM filter is designed to multiplex the single-mode signals from 785-nm quantum and 1550-nm synchronization channels for spatial-mode matching while maintaining the polarization relations. The measured insertion loss and isolation are 1.8 dB and 32.6 dB for 785 nm and 0.7 dB and 28.3 dB for 1550 nm, respectively. We also evaluate the QKD performance of the proposed system. The sifted key rate and quantum bit error rate are 1.6 Mbps and 0.62%, respectively, at an operating speed of 100 MHz, rendering our system comparable to conventional systems using bulk-optic devices for channel integration.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Dr. Hae Young Rha for her contribution to the development of real-time data processing using the FPGA.

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