Scintillation Has Minimal Impact On Far Field Quantum Key Distribution
Abstract
The effect of scintillation, arising from propagation through atmospheric turbulence, on the sift and error probabilities of a quantum key distribution (QKD) system that uses the weak laser pulse version of the Bennett-Brassard 1984 (BB84) protocol is evaluated. Two earth-space scenarios are examined: satellite-to-ground and ground-to-satellite transmission. Both lie in the far-field power transfer regime. This work complements previous analysis of turbulence effects in near-field terrestrial BB84 QKD [Phys. Rev. A 67, 022309 (2003)]. More importantly, it shows that scintillation has virtually no impact on the sift and error probabilities in earth-space BB84 QKD, something that has been implicitly assumed in prior analyses for that application. This result contrast rather sharply with what is known for high-speed laser communications over such paths, in which deep, long-lived scintillation fades present a major challenge to high-reliability operation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 24, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA540488
Entities
People
- Jeffrey H Shapiro
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology