Title
QKD optical ground terminal developments
Author
Klop, W.A.
Saathof, R.
Doelman, N.J.
Gruber, M.
Moens, T.M.N.
Osorio Tamayo, C.I.
Duque, C.M.
Contributor
Karafolas, Z. (editor)
Cugny, N. (editor)
Sodnik, B. (editor)
Publication year
2021
Abstract
Free space optical (FSO) satellite communications has very attractive properties for Quantum Key Distribution(QKD). The quantum channel loss and noise are major factors in setting the maximum achievable secure key rate of QKD systems. Primarily for a LEO satellite node and the BB84 protocol a number of technologies are proposed to reduce the quantum channel loss and noise. These technologies apply to the receiver side of the QKD link, the Optical Ground Terminal. It is shown that an optical beam shaper to optimize fiber mode matching, dedicated thermo-mechanical design to reduce misalignment induced by temperature gradients and an Adaptive Optics (AO) system to counteract optical turbulence effects can result in a significant reduction of loss and background noise. A breadboard verification experiment shows that using an medium-size AO system can maintain a fiber coupling efficiency up to 40%. The developed technologies have a general applicability with respect to satellite orbit and QKD protocol used.
Subject
Quantum Key Distribution
Free Space Optics
Optical Ground Stations
Opto-mechanics
Adaptive Optics
High Tech Systems & Materials
Industrial Innovation
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:aa08c740-5d16-4a42-a4ef-93f6dfb8314e
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2599217
TNO identifier
968139
Publisher
SPIE
ISSN
0277-786X
Source
Proceedings of SPIE, International Conference on Space Optics, ICSO 2020, 30 March - 2 April 2021, Virtual Conference
Document type
conference paper