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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 54: Quantum Optics in Space
Q 54.7: Talk
Thursday, March 14, 2024, 16:00–16:15, HS 3219
Time Synchronization in Satellite and Long Distance Quantum Communication — •Pritom Paul1,2, Christopher Spiess1,2, and Fabian Steinlechner1,2 — 1Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, Albert-Einstein-Str. 07, 07745 Jena, Germany. — 2Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Applied Physics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 07745 Jena, Germany.
To establish quantum communication, it is crucial to accurately identify and resolve single photon detection events. Issues arise in space-based and long-distance quantum communication systems, where achieving secure communication and picosecond timing accuracy is hindered by low signal-to-noise ratio resulting from propagation loss and atmospheric turbulence. The signal to noise ratio of the synchronization signal improves by the introduction an attenuated pulsed laser from which the timing offset could be determined by its own single photon detection events. Using time multiplexing, the pulsed signal can be isolated from the quantum signal, thereby facilitating the identification of synchronization windows within the detected signal.
In this work we develop a synchronization protocol involving an attenuated pulsed laser combined to the output of an entangled photon source and detected using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. Next, we introduce channel losses to emulate a real-world quantum network. This reflects scenarios with substantial node distances, incorporating losses attributed to atmospheric turbulence, particularly in the context of satellite and free space-based networks.
Keywords: Free Space Quantum Communication; Satellite Quantum Communication; Time Synchronization; Quantum Key Distribution; Entangled Photon Source