Freiburg 2024 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 7: Quantum Communication I
Q 7.1: Talk
Monday, March 11, 2024, 11:00–11:15, HS 3219
Polarization Entanglement Distribution on a Hybrid QKD Link — •Shreya Gouravaram Navalur1,2, Uday Chandrashekara2, Gregor Sauer2,3, and Fabian Steinlechner2,3 — 1Friedrich Schiller University, Abbe School of Photonics, Jena, Germany — 2Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, Jena, Germany — 3Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Applied Physics, Abbe Center of Photonics, Jena, Germany
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) uses quantum properties of light to establish secure encryption keys at a distance. Hybrid QKD links are communication channels that incorporate free-space channels as well as fiberoptic links. Fiber-based channels are efficient, reliable, and QKD can be implemented on existing telecom networks with only minor modifications. Free space links, on the other hand, can provide access in urban areas where fiber infrastructure is not deployed and can also scale to long-distance satellite networks. Thus, hybrid QKD networks, that comprise free-space and fiber segments are one of the promising steps towards achieving the goal of a global quantum internet.
In this work, we build and characterize a polarization-entangled photon source that produces highly non-degenerate pairs of signal and idler photons at suitable wavelengths for free-space and fiber-based transmission. Further, we deploy the source on a small-scale hybrid link in Jena to perform entanglement distribution experiments. This way, we can optimize the photon source and study its behaviour on hybrid links, in a real-world environment outside of ideal lab conditions.
Keywords: Quantum Communication; Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC); Entanglement; Quantum networks