Persistent Maritime Quantum Key Distribution
Abstract
Approach: In order to overcome the aforementioned challenges with free-space QKD in the highly dynamic maritime environment, we propose a new platform for free-space QKD that is persistent under adversary weather conditions while also achieving high-photon efficiency. Distinct from existing studies, we will deploy single photons at around 4 microns, which corresponds to the optimal, perhaps the only, wavelength band that survives simultaneously absorption, scattering, and in-coupling of background radiation under various weather conditions. By developing advanced encoding and decoding protocols for photonic qudits in this band, we expect to establish a practical maritime QKD platform operable even when the visibility is low. Objective: The development of a new platform for free-space QKD that is persistent under adversary weather conditions while also achieving high-photon efficiency. Future Naval Relevance: This proposal contains novel techniques that can help overcome noise and loss during optical communications in the maritime environment – yet will also help to further characterize the atmosphere transmission – and lead to better models. Aside of the communication application such knowledge is also very important to optimize sensing and ranging application, especially under low visibility condition. While our focus is on quantum key distribution, those techniques, once developed, will also help classical communications for navy. The up-conversion detection technique can overcome the time jitter with direct optical detection and achieve ~ps resolution. This will allow classical optical communications at a terahertz (THz) using a single-wavelength link.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512393
Entities
People
- Yupin Huang
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- United States Navy