Here we present the experimental distribution of four-dimensional entangled qudits between integrated photonic devices. Qudits offer advantages over qubits such as higher information capacity, and improved noise robustness. Integrated photonics allows for the reliable preparation and manipulation of large-scale entangled quantum states on a single device, with outstanding phase stability. However, reliable transmission of these states between devices, integrated or otherwise, has been a challenge, mainly due to the difficulty of maintaining phase stability between multiple optical channels. We implement an active phase stabilisation algorithm, utilising the same circuitry as for the quantum states, enabling stable distribution of qudits.
The secure transmission of an image can be accomplished by encoding the image information, securely communicating this information, and subsequently reconstructing the image. As an alternative, here we show how the image itself can be directly transmitted while ensuring that the presence of any eavesdropper is revealed in a way akin to quantum key distribution. We achieve this transmission using a photon-pair source with the deliberate addition of a thermal light source as background noise. One photon of the pair illuminates the object, which is masked from an eavesdropper by adding indistinguishable thermal photons, the other photon of the pair acts as a time reference from which the intended recipient can preferentially detect the image carrying photons. These reference photons are themselves made sensitive to the presence of an eavesdropper by traditional polarization-based QKD encoding. Interestingly, the security encoding is performed in the two-dimensional polarization-basis, but the image information is encoded in a much higher-dimensional, hence information-rich, pixel basis. In our example implementation, our images have more than 100 independent pixels. Beyond the secure transmission of images, our approach to the distribution of secure high-dimensional information may create new high-bandwidth approaches to traditional QKD.
A limitation of free-space optical communications is the ease with which the information can be intercepted. Overcoming this limitation is possible by hiding the information within the background optical noise that is present in all real-world situations. We demonstrate the limitations of our experimental system for transferring images over free-space using a photon-pair source emitting two correlated beams. The system uses spontaneous parametric down-conversion to create photon-pairs, where one photon contains the spatial information and the other the heralding information.
Quantum technology promises to deliver quantum computers, unbreakable communication and ultra-sensitive sensors. Quantum photonics is one of the prominent platforms of quantum technology which utilizes photons – often called flying qubits. Entanglement generated from a photon-pair source is a crucial resource for many quantum photonic implementations, for example, an entanglement-based global quantum network and metrology beyond classical limits. Here, we will discuss our recent results of chip-scale photon-pair sources in silicon photonics. These results are focused on improving brightness, spectral purity and indistinguishability of the photon-pair sources, for example, by engineering photonic structures and temporal pulse shaping. We have found that both methods have trade-offs among brightness, spectral purity and indistinguishability. Additionally, we have observed that generating a high-fidelity quantum state using a quantum photonic circuit requires sufficient isolation between the nonlinear photon-pair sources and the linear photonic circuit. It is crucial to remove the nonlinear effect of the strong pump both before and after the sources to limit the spurious photon-pair generation which contaminates the target quantum state.
Satellite based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is currently the only viable technology to span thousands of kilometres. Since the typical overhead pass of a satellite lasts for a few minutes, it is crucial to increase the the signal rate to maximise the secret key length. For the QUARC CubeSat mission due to be launched within two years, we are designing a dual wavelength, weak-coherent-pulse decoy-state Bennett- Brassard ’84 (WCP DS BB84) QKD source. The optical payload is designed in a 12×9×5cm3 bespoke aluminium casing. The Discrete Variable QKD Source consists of two symmetric sources operating at 785 nm and 808 nm. The laser diodes are fixed to produce Horizontal,Vertical, Diagonal, and Anti-diagonal (H,V,D,A) polarisation respectively, which are combined and attenuated to a mean photon number of 0.3 and 0.5 photons/pulse. We ensure that the source is secure against most side channel attacks by spatially mode filtering the output beam and characterising their spectral and temporal characterstics. The extinction ratio of the source contributes to the intrinsic Qubit Error Rate(QBER) with 0.817±0.001%. This source operates at 200MHz, which is enough to provide secure key rates of a few kilo bits per second despite 40 dB of estimated loss in the free space channel.1
Quantum networks have been shown to connect users with full-mesh topologies without trusted nodes. We present advancements on our scalable polarisation entanglement-based quantum network testbed, which has the ability to perform protocols beyond simple quantum key distribution. Our approach utilises wavelength multiplexing, which is ideal for quantum networks across local metropolitan areas due to the ease of connecting additional users to the network without increasing the resource requirements per user. We show a 10 user fully connected quantum network with metropolitan scale deployed fibre links, demonstrating polarisation stability and the ability to generate secret keys over a period of 10.8 days with a network wide average-effective secret key rate of 3.38 bps.
We present a method of using a high-flux entangled photon-pair source to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of a single-pixel imaging system. Sensing with single-photon counting detectors will often suffer from measurement noise due to any background light levels. Using a single detector enables a high efficiency of detection and when paired with a variable transmission mask enables full images to be captured. The heralding photon from the source acts as a temporal reference, allowing the signal photons to be distinguished from background noise. This heralding method is key to understanding how quantum measurements can produce higher contrast images than their classical equivalent.
Quantum networks have begun to connect many users together with Quantum Key Distribution links. We present a scalable, full mesh, polarisation entanglement-based quantum network without trusted nodes. We discuss our progress towards building a dynamic quantum network with more users, long distance (≈50 km) links and improved polarisation stability in the optical fibres. Lastly, minimising the resource overhead and optimising the network control based on end-user requirements are important features we are incorporating into our network.
We present a miniaturised free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) system which allows key exchange between a handheld transmitter and a fixed terminal. The QKD system requires to be optically aligned emphasising the need of a beamsteering unit for later applications. To maintain within the size, weight and power restrictions, the active beamsteering hardware is exclusively located inside the receiver. Our target is consumer use so we present rigorous characterisation against a range of background light levels to show anticipated performance outside of a laboratory environment.
Experimental results show a reduction in the raw count rate commensurate with the transmission of the added components (74.5%) and a small degradation of the error rate (0.5 percentage points) due to the worse signal-to-noise ratio. These combine to a 50% reduction in estimated secret key rate of the system with the additional components for beam steering.
Time-to-digital converters are a key component in many photonics systems, ranging from LiDAR, quantum key distribution, quantum optics experiments and time correlated single photon counting applications. A novel efficient timeto- digital converter non-linearity calibration technique has been developed and demonstrated on a Spartan 6 LX150 field programmable gate array (FPGA). Most FPGA based time-to-digital converters either use post processing or have calibration techniques which do not focus on minimizing resource utilization. With the move towards imaging with arrays of single photon detectors, scalable timing instrumentation is required. The calibration system demonstrated minimizes block memory utilization, using the same memory for probability density function measurement and cumulative distribution function generation, creating a look up table which can be used to calibrate the sub-clock timing module of the time-to-digital converter. The system developed contains 16 time-to-digital converters and demonstrates an average accuracy of 21ps RMS (14.85ps single channel) with a resolution of 1.86ps.
The security of sensitive information exchange has become a major topic in recent years. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) provides a highly secure approach to share random encryption keys between two communication terminals. In contrast with traditional public cryptography methods, QKD security relies on the foundations of quantum mechanics and not on computational capabilities. This makes QKD unconditionally secure (if properly implemented) and it is envisaged as a main component in the next–generation cryptographic technology. QKD has already been successfully demonstrated in different contexts such as fibre-to- fibre, and free-space ground-toground as well as ground-to-air communications. However, Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) constraints have prevented previous implementations to be demonstrated on small form airborne platforms such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS). Project Q-DOS aims to deliver a QKD module using compact, cutting-edge photonic waveguide technology, which will allow low-SWaP aerospace requirements to be met. This module uses 1550 nm single photons to implement a BB84 protocol, and will enable the demonstration of a secure, high-speed optical communication data link (~0.5 Gbps) between a drone and a ground station. The targeted link range is 1 km. The airborne communications module, including the QKD terminal, tracking modules, traditional communications systems, optics and control electronics, must not exceed a mass of 5 kg and a power consumption of 20 W.
We have designed and built a free space secure key exchange system using weak laser pulses with polarisation modulation by acousto-optic switching. We have used this system to exchange keys over a 1.2km ground range with absolute security. Building from this initial result we analyse the feasibility of exchanging keys to a low earth orbit satellite.
The aim of the QIPS project (financed by ESA) is to explore quantum phenomena and to demonstrate quantum communication over long distances. Based on the current state-of-the-art a first study investigating the feasibility of space based quantum communication has to establish goals for mid-term and long-term missions, but also has to test the feasibility of key issues in a long distance ground-to-ground experiment. We have therefore designed a proof-of-concept demonstration for establishing single photon links over a distance of 144 km between the Canary Islands of La Palma and Tenerife to evaluate main limitations for future space experiments. Here we report on the progress of this project and present first measurements of crucial parameters of the optical free space link.
The accurate determination of the atmospheric distribution of carbon dioxide (CO2) on planetary scale is a key requirement for setting up modeling tools able to make reliable predictions of Earth climate dynamics which are essential for the understanding of such important issues as climate change and global warming. Nowadays, the concentrations of CO2 are mainly measured in-situ at a number of surface stations that are unevenly distributed over the planet. Air-borne and space-borne missions have the potential to provide a denser and better distributed set of observations to complement those provided by the surface network.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the major anthropogenic greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change. Its concentration has recently reached the 400-ppm mark, representing a more than 40 % increase with respect to its level prior to the industrial revolution.
By performing a full analysis of the projected local density of states (LDOS) in a photonic crystal waveguide, we show that phase plays a crucial role in the symmetry of the light-matter interaction. By considering a quantum dot (QD) spin coupled to a photonic crystal waveguide (PCW) mode, we demonstrate that the light-matter interaction can be asymmetric, leading to unidirectional emission and a deterministic entangled photon source. Further we show that understanding the phase associated with both the LDOS and the QD spin is essential for a range of devices that can be realized with a QD in a PCW. We also show how suppression of quantum interference prevents dipole induced reflection in the waveguide, and highlight a fundamental breakdown of the semiclassical dipole approximation for describing light-matter interactions in these spin dependent systems.
We propose an integrated path differential absorption lidar system based on all-semiconductor laser sources and single photon counting detection for column-averaged measurements of atmospheric CO2. The Random Modulated Continuous Wave (RM-CW) approach has been selected as the best suited to semiconductor lasers. In a RM-CW lidar, a pseudo random sequence is sent to the atmosphere and the received signal reflected from the target is correlated with the original sequence in order to retrieve the path length. The transmitter design is based on two monolithic Master Oscillator Power Amplifiers (MOPAs), providing the on-line and off-line wavelengths close to the selected absorption line around 1.57 µm. Each MOPA consists of a frequency stabilized distributed feedback master oscillator, a bent modulator section, and a tapered amplifier. This design allows the emitters to deliver high power and high quality laser beams with good spectral properties. An output power above 400 mW with a SMSR higher than 45 dB and modulation capability have been demonstrated. On the side of the receiver, our theoretical and experimental results indicate that the major noise contribution comes from the ambient light and detector noise. For this reason narrow band optical filters are required in the envisioned space-borne applications. In this contribution, we present the latest progresses regarding the design, modeling and characterization of the transmitter, the receiver, the frequency stabilization unit and the complete system.
Direct laser writing is a powerful and exible tool with which to create 3D micro-scale structures with nanoscale features. These structures can then be dispersed in aqueous media and dynamically actuated in three dimensions using optical tweezers. The ability to build, actuate and precisely measure the motion of complex microscopic structures heralds a variety of new applications - optically actuated micro-robotics. In this article we describe how these devices are designed, fabricated and controlled. Once trapped, we are able to accurately measure the translational and rotational Brownian motion of the structures in real-time (at up to a few kHz) in three dimensions using high-speed video stereo-microscopy. This enables their motion to be controlled automatically using feedback, transforming the structures into quantitative tools. We discuss a range of applications, including the imaging of surface topography inside a sealed micro- uidic chamber, and work towards the controlled rotation of cells about an arbitrary axis.
The availability of suitable laser sources is one of the main challenges in future space missions for accurate measurement
of atmospheric CO2. The main objective of the European project BRITESPACE is to demonstrate the feasibility of an
all-semiconductor laser source to be used as a space-borne laser transmitter in an Integrated Path Differential Absorption
(IPDA) lidar system. We present here the proposed transmitter and system architectures, the initial device design and the
results of the simulations performed in order to estimate the source requirements in terms of power, beam quality, and
spectral properties to achieve the required measurement accuracy. The laser transmitter is based on two InGaAsP/InP
monolithic Master Oscillator Power Amplifiers (MOPAs), providing the ON and OFF wavelengths close to the selected
absorption line around 1.57 μm. Each MOPA consists of a frequency stabilized Distributed Feedback (DFB) master
oscillator, a modulator section, and a tapered semiconductor amplifier optimized to maximize the optical output power.
The design of the space-compliant laser module includes the beam forming optics and the thermoelectric coolers. The
proposed system replaces the conventional pulsed source with a modulated continuous wave source using the Random
Modulation-Continuous Wave (RM-CW) approach, allowing the designed semiconductor MOPA to be applicable in
such applications. The system requirements for obtaining a CO2 retrieval accuracy of 1 ppmv and a spatial resolution of less than 10 meters have been defined. Envelope estimated of the returns indicate that the average power needed is of a
few watts and that the main noise source is the ambient noise.
In suspensions containing microspheres and a sub-micron species, such as nanoparticles or a polymer, an attractive force
can result between the microspheres. This attraction arises due to an entropic interaction, often referred to as a depletion
force. In this work we demonstrate an application of the depletion force to the controlled assembly of crystalline templates
for the production of photonic band gap (PBG) materials. The method makes use of holographic optical tweezers to
assemble crystalline arrays of silica or polystyrene microspheres, in which depletion interactions are used to stabilise the
structures being built. In addition, we use the holographic optical tweezers to characterise the attraction between pairs of
microspheres in the system.
We propose a novel concept for a semiconductor-based single-photon detector for quantum information processing,
which is capable of discriminating the number of photons in a light pulse. The detector exploits the charge transport by a
surface acoustic wave (SAW) in order to combine a large photon absorption area (thus providing high photon collection
efficiency) with a microscopic charge detection area, where the photo generated charge is detected with resolution at the
single electron level using single electron transistors (SETs). We present preliminary results on acoustic transport
measured in a prototype for the detector as well as on the fabrication of radio-frequency single-electron transistors (RFSETs)
for charge detection. The photon detector is a particular example of acousto-electric nanocircuits that are
expected to be able to control both the spatial and the spin degrees of freedom of single electrons. If realized, these
circuits will contribute substantially to a scalable quantum information technology.
Coding data bits in the phase or polarisation state of light allows us to exploit the wave particle duality for novel communication protocols. Using this principle the first practical quantum communication systems have been built. These are the fibre and free-space quantum cryptography apparatus used for secure exchange of keys. To date free space key exchange has aimed at long range with 144km range achieved and future experiments aiming to extend this range to 1000km exchanging keys with low earth orbit satellites. At the other end of the spectrum we are developing low cost hand held systems. These systems could be an effective way for the user to generate a store of secrets shared with a central repository. These secrets can then be used up to protect a wide variety of sensitive classical communications. Examples include on-line PIN protection for consumer transactions and password protection in secure access schemes.
We report on the experimental implementation of a BB84-type quantum key distribution protocol over a 144 km free-space link using weak coherent laser pulses. The security was assured by employing decoy state analysis, and optimization of the link transmission was achieved with bi-directional active telescope tracking. This enabled us to distribute a secure key at a rate of 11 bits/s at an attenuation of about 35dB. Utilizing a simple transmitter setup and an optical ground station capable of tracking spacecraft in low earth orbit, this outdoor experiment demonstrates the feasibility of global key distribution via satellites.
Coding data bits in the phase or polarization state of light allows us to exploit the wave particle duality for novel communication protocols. Using this principle the first practical quantum communication systems have been built. These are the fiber and free-space quantum cryptography apparatus used for secure exchange of keys. Beyond this state of the art, various quantum communication schemes are being studied including entangled state key exchange quantum dense coding, state teleportation, and entanglement swapping. The feasibility, advantages and disadvantages of space based realisations of these novel schemes are discussed.
Quantum cryptography bases the security of key exchange on the laws of quantum physics and will become the first application of quantum information methods. Here we present the design of novel hardware components which enabled the demonstration of secure key exchange over a 23.4 km free-space link.
Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies for Security and Defence VII
5 September 2022 | Berlin, Germany
Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies for Security and Defence V; Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for Micro- and Nanosystems in Security and Defence III
21 September 2020 | Online Only, United Kingdom
Quantum Technologies and Quantum Information Science V
10 September 2019 | Strasbourg, France
Quantum Technologies and Quantum Information Science
10 September 2018 | Berlin, Germany
Quantum Technologies and Quantum Information Science
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