Transmitting device, receiving device, and quantum key distribution system
View Patent ↗According to one embodiment, a transmitting device for a quantum key distribution system includes a light source, a beam splitter, an encoder, and a beam combiner. The light source is configured to generate an optical pulse. The beam splitter is configured to split the optical pulse into a signal pulse that travels through a first path and a polarization control pulse that travels through a second path, the second path being different in an optical path length from the first path. The encoder is provided at the first path and is configured to encode information with respect to the signal pulse. The beam combiner is configured to combine the signal pulse passing through the encoder and the polarization control pulse.
1. A transmitting device for a quantum key distribution system, the transmitting device comprising:
a light source configured to generate an optical pulse;
a first beam splitter configured to split the optical pulse into a signal pulse that travels through a first path and a polarization control pulse that travels through a second path, the second path being different in an optical path length from the first path;
an encoder provided at the first path; the encoder being configured to encode information with respect to the signal pulse; and
a first beam combiner configured to combine the signal pulse passing through the encoder and the polarization control pulse,
wherein the encoder is an interferometer comprising:
a second beam splitter configured to split the signal pulse into a first signal pulse that travels through a third path and a second signal pulse that travels through a fourth path, the fourth path being different in an optical path length from the third path;
a modulator configured to modulate a phase of the first signal pulse based on the information; and
a second beam combiner configured to combine the first signal pulse passing through the modulator and the second signal pulse; and
polarization of the first signal pulse is identical to polarization of the second signal pulse at an exit of the second beam combiner.
2. The transmitting device according to claim 1 , wherein the polarization control pulse is in a multi-photon state when the polarization control pulse is transmitted from the transmitting device.
3. The transmitting device according to claim 1 , wherein polarization of the polarization control pulse is perpendicular to polarization of the signal pulse at an exit of the first beam combiner.
4. A receiving device for a quantum key distribution system, the receiving device comprising:
a polarization controller configured to control polarization of an optical pulse train, the optical pulse train including a signal pulse and a polarization control pulse;
a beam splitter configured to receive the optical pulse train passing through the polarization controller, and to split the optical pulse train into the signal pulse and the polarization control pulse;
a detector configured to detect the polarization control pulse output from the beam splitter, and to output a detection result to adjust the polarization controller;
an interferometer configured to decode information from the signal pulse output from the beam splitter; and
a control circuit configured to adjust the polarization controller based on the detection result such that the polarization control pulse within the optical pulse train entering the beam splitter has predetermined polarization;
wherein:
the beam splitter includes an optical element configured to extract a light component having the predetermined polarization from the polarization control pulse within the optical pulse train entering the beam splitter, and
the control circuit adjusts the polarization controller to maximize an intensity of the polarization control pulse that is measured by the detector.
5. The receiving device according to claim 4 , wherein:
the optical pulse train is transmitted from a transmitting device in a state where polarization of the polarization control pulse is perpendicular to polarization of the signal pulse; and
the beam splitter is a polarizing beam splitter.
6. A receiving device for a quantum key distribution system, the receiving device comprising:
a polarization controller configured to control polarization of an optical pulse train, the optical pulse train including a signal pulse and a polarization control pulse;
a beam splitter configured to receive the optical pulse train passing through the polarization controller, and to split the optical pulse train into the signal pulse and the polarization control pulse;
a detector configured to detect the polarization control pulse output from the beam splitter, and to output a detection result to adjust the polarization controller;
an interferometer configured to decode information from the signal pulse output from the beam splitter; and
a control circuit configured to adjust the polarization controller based on the detection result such that the polarization control pulse within the optical pulse train enterin the beam splitter has predetermined polarization;
wherein:
the beam splitter includes an optical element configured to extract a light component having the predetermined polarization from the polarization control pulse within the optical pulse train entering the beam splitter; and
the control circuit adjusts the polarization controller to maximize the number of polarization control pulses that are detected per unit time by the detector.