A High Speed Quantum Communication Testbed
Abstract
We describe the status of the NIST Quantum Communication Testbed (QCT) facility. QCT is a facility for exploring quantum communication in an environment similar to that projected for early commercial implementations: quantum cryptographic key exchange on a gigabit/second free-space optical (FSO) channel. Its purpose is to provide an open platform for testing and validating performance in the application, network, and physical layers of quantum communications systems. The channel uses modified commercial FSO equipment to link two buildings on the Gaithersburg, MD campus of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), separated by approximately 600 meters. At the time of writing, QCT is under construction; it will eventually be made available to the research community as a user facility. This paper presents the basic design considerations underlying QCT, and reports the status of the project.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA512115
Entities
People
- Alan Migdall
- Alan Mink
- Anastase Nakassis
- Andreas Goedecke
- Carl J. Williams
- Charles W. Clark
- Edward Hagley
- Jesse Wen
- Julie Rouzaud
- Leticia Pibida
- Mikko Hiekkero
- Richang Lu
- Xiao Tang
Organizations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology