Free-space quantum cryptography in the H-alpha Fraunhofer window

D. J. Rogers; J. C. Bienfang; A. Mink; B. J. Hershman; A. Nakassis; X. Tang; L. Ma; D. H. Su; Carl J. Williams; Charles W. Clark

doi:10.1117/12.680899

1 September 2006 Free-space quantum cryptography in the H-alpha Fraunhofer window

D. J. Rogers, J. C. Bienfang, A. Mink, B. J. Hershman, A. Nakassis, X. Tang, L. Ma, D. H. Su, Carl J. Williams, Charles W. Clark

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6304, Free-Space Laser Communications VI; 630417 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.680899
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Free-space Quantum key distribution (QKD) has shown the potential for the practical production of cryptographic key for ultra-secure communications. The performance of any QKD system is ultimately limited by the signal to noise ratio on the single-photon channel, and over most useful communications links the resulting key rates are impractical for performing continuous one-time-pad encryption of today's broadband communications. We have adapted clock and data recovery techniques from modern telecommunications practice, combined with a synchronous classical free-space optical communications link operating in parallel, to increase the repetition rate of a free-space QKD system by roughly 2 orders of magnitude over previous demonstrations. We have also designed the system to operate in the H-alpha Fraunhofer window at 656.28 nm, where the solar background is reduced by roughly 7 dB. This system takes advantage of high efficiency silicon single-photon avalanche photodiodes with <50ps timing resolution that are expected to enable operation at a repetition rate of 2.5 GHz. We have identified scalable solutions for delivering sustained one-time-pad encryption at 10 Mbps, thus making it possible to integrate quantum cryptography into first-generation Ethernet protocols.

Citation Download Citation

D. J. Rogers, J. C. Bienfang, A. Mink, B. J. Hershman, A. Nakassis, X. Tang, L. Ma, D. H. Su, Carl J. Williams, and Charles W. Clark "Free-space quantum cryptography in the H-alpha Fraunhofer window", Proc. SPIE 6304, Free-Space Laser Communications VI, 630417 (1 September 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.680899

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available