Narrow-band single-photon source and QKD system using same
US7359514B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/0852
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A narrow-band single-photon source (10) is disclosed, along with a QKD system (200) using same. The single-photon source is based on spontaneous parametric downconversion that generates signal and idler photons (PS and PI) as an entangled photon pair. Narrow-band signal photons are generated by selectively narrow-band-filtering the idler photons. This results in a non-local filtering of the signal photons due to the time-energy entanglement of the photon pair. Subsequent detection of the filtered idler photon establishes the narrow-band signal photon. The narrow-band single-photon source is particularly useful in a QKD system, wherein the narrow-band signal photons are used as quantum signals to mitigate the adverse effect of chromatic dispersion on QKD system performance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.