Apparatus and methods for quantum key distribution
US10158481B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 2016 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2209/12
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems, apparatus, and methods using an integrated photonic chip capable of operating at rates higher than a Gigahertz for quantum key distribution are disclosed. The system includes two identical transmitter chips and one receiver chip. The transmitter chips encode photonic qubits by modulating phase-randomized attenuated laser light within two early or late time-bins. Each transmitter chip can produce a single-photon pulse either in one of the two time-bins or as a superposition of the two time-bins with or without any phase difference. The pulse modulation is achieved using ring resonators, and the phase difference between the two time-bins is obtained using thermo-optic phase shifters and/or time delay elements. The receiver chip employs either homodyne detection or heterodyne detection to perform Bell measurements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.