Chunxue Zhang , Hanming Yang , Pengwei Cui , Junchi Ma , Song Huang , Liyong Guo , Jiangaung Li , Jiashun Zhang , Yue Wang , Xiaojie Yin , Wei Chen , Yuanda Wu , Junming An
{"title":"High extinction ratio multi-polarization states preparation based on SOI integrated chips","authors":"Chunxue Zhang , Hanming Yang , Pengwei Cui , Junchi Ma , Song Huang , Liyong Guo , Jiangaung Li , Jiashun Zhang , Yue Wang , Xiaojie Yin , Wei Chen , Yuanda Wu , Junming An","doi":"10.1016/j.optcom.2024.131177","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Quantum key distribution (QKD) leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to provide an unconditionally secure public-key cryptographic system. Polarization encoding is a commonly employed method in QKD. However, the low extinction ratio of polarization states significantly impacts the error rate in QKD systems, thereby threatening the security of communication. Here, we propose a structure and method for the preparation of high-extinction-ratio polarization states based on silicon photonic integrated chips. Our chip integrates thermo-optic modulators and silicon carrier-depletion modulators to achieve the transformation of information from path encoding to polarization encoding through a 2-D grating. We have successfully prepared six polarization states using only thermo-optic modulators, with an average polarization extinction ratio of 35.8 dB. Furthermore, we have successfully prepared six polarization states using a combination of thermo-optic and electro-optic modulators, with an average polarization extinction ratio exceeding 30.6 dB. Notably, our system demonstrated remarkable stability over a 2-h testing period, with the polarization extinction ratio remaining essentially unchanged.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19586,"journal":{"name":"Optics Communications","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Optics Communications","FirstCategoryId":"101","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0030401824009143","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"OPTICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Quantum key distribution (QKD) leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to provide an unconditionally secure public-key cryptographic system. Polarization encoding is a commonly employed method in QKD. However, the low extinction ratio of polarization states significantly impacts the error rate in QKD systems, thereby threatening the security of communication. Here, we propose a structure and method for the preparation of high-extinction-ratio polarization states based on silicon photonic integrated chips. Our chip integrates thermo-optic modulators and silicon carrier-depletion modulators to achieve the transformation of information from path encoding to polarization encoding through a 2-D grating. We have successfully prepared six polarization states using only thermo-optic modulators, with an average polarization extinction ratio of 35.8 dB. Furthermore, we have successfully prepared six polarization states using a combination of thermo-optic and electro-optic modulators, with an average polarization extinction ratio exceeding 30.6 dB. Notably, our system demonstrated remarkable stability over a 2-h testing period, with the polarization extinction ratio remaining essentially unchanged.
期刊介绍:
Optics Communications invites original and timely contributions containing new results in various fields of optics and photonics. The journal considers theoretical and experimental research in areas ranging from the fundamental properties of light to technological applications. Topics covered include classical and quantum optics, optical physics and light-matter interactions, lasers, imaging, guided-wave optics and optical information processing. Manuscripts should offer clear evidence of novelty and significance. Papers concentrating on mathematical and computational issues, with limited connection to optics, are not suitable for publication in the Journal. Similarly, small technical advances, or papers concerned only with engineering applications or issues of materials science fall outside the journal scope.